Over 40 people from Lukusi village in Sango sub-location in Likuyani Sub County were rushed to the Likuyani Sub County Hospital after they allegedly consumed poisonous beef. Kongoni location acting chief, Mr. Peter Lukano confirmed the incident to the press.
According to Lukano, the victims developed stomach upsets after eating carcass meat. “Confirmed reports indicate the victims consumed meat of a calf carcass belonging to a calf, which had been traced dead in a maize plantation,” revealed the local administrator, adding the cause of the calf’s death was yet to be established.
It was claimed the animal which belonged to Mr. Mathews Ongati, disappeared two days ago and was found dead on Saturday afternoon, “Before the villagers slaughtered and ate it without considering safety and health precautions,” Lukano added.
A few hours later, villagers who had enjoyed meat bites from the animal began complaining of stomach pains accompanied by diarrhea, with some reportedly losing eyesight.
Ten people who were in a worse condition were rushed to hospital on Saturday night while the rest were taken there on Sunday. “Last evening I managed to rescue about ten victims and rushed them to hospital in serious condition,” he said adding that on Sunday he mounted a house to house search and discovered 30 more victims bringing the total to about 40.
He thanked officers from the area department of public health for helping conduct a house to house search that saw a total of 40 locals taken to the medical facility for treatment.
“Several of the victims are pupils at Lukusi primary school who are likely to miss classes for the better part of the week,” said the administrator.
A nurse at the hospital told West Media that all the victims had been attended to and were out of danger. “We have managed to control the situation and those who were brought in a critical condition have responded well and they are now out of danger. We have put them on a fragile drip and 5 percent dextrose,” explained the medic adding that several of them have already been discharged.
It is worth noting the same Lukusi village hit media headlines in 2014 when 76 villagers were hospitalized at the same medical facility after they had consumed animal carcass meat. Lukano has cautioned area residents against eating meat from animal carcasses or any uninspected meat in order to avoid such tragedies in future.