Government investigating suspected WFP food poisoning in Karamoja

The Government is investigating circumstances where 3 people have died and 220 ended up being hospitalized over suspected food poisoning in Amudat and Napak districts. People in the two districts developed health complications after feeding on the super cereal, a fortified blended food that was supplied by World Food Program (WFP) on Wednesday last week.

Hundreds especially mothers and children having been flocking health centers since Wednesday last week after they developed health complications after feeding on the super cereal, a fortified blended food that was supplied by WFP.

Most patients from Napak and Amudat developed mental illnesses, body pains, diarrhoea after feeding on super cereal, food produced in Turkey and supplied by WFP.

Lotome health center III alone with 14 staff has received 140 cases of the same. So far 138 have been discharged, 1 referred to Matany hospital and 1 life couldn’t be saved.

‘The Ministry of Health, together with Uganda National Bureau of Standards has taken samples of the food to carry out investigations and ascertain the cause of the tragedy,’ cabinet minister for Karamoja Affairs John Byabagambi has told Nile Post.

The situation in Amudat isn’t any different. The food was meant for malnourished mothers & children but due to the hunger within households, most family members ended up feeding on it. ‘World food program has since suspended the distribution of this food,’ the country director for UN world food program has informed the Nile Post.

Samples are expected mid this week. The office of the prime minister has also chipped in and started  distributing food.