Suspected ‘poisonous cassava’ kills one, two on admission

One person has been confirmed dead while two are on admission over suspected ‘cassava poison’ at Sabon Zongo in Asamankese in the Eastern region.

Information gathered by Starr News indicate that on June 23, 2018, three households with 23 occupants consumed the said cassava but five including three females and two males complained of stomach upset.

One whose condition was worsening was rushed to the St Lukes Clinic in Asamankese but was discharged.

On Tuesday June 26,2018 some occupants of the same house consumed fufu prepared from same suspected ‘poisoned cassava’ after which four persons also started vomiting and were given over the counter drug but the condition of one of the victims worsened and was rushed to Asamankese Government Hospital, however, pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital on June 27, 2018.

The Lower West Akyem Municipal Director of Ghana Health Service, Dr Samuel Agyemang Boateng confirmed the incident to Starr News’ Eastern Regional Correspondent Kojo Ansah but hastened to add that investigation has commenced.

He said the cassava has been retrieved awaiting the Food Drugs Authority (FDA) to conduct laboratory test. Meanwhile, the other consumers of the cassava are being monitored.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue pending an autopsy.