The Nasarawa State Government has dispatched healthcare workers in response to the tragic deaths of five children within a day in the Gidinye community of Obi Local Government Area in Nasarawa State.
Gidinye, situated in the Jenkwe Development Area, is home to numerous residents, including children.
Reports revealed that the children, aged between five and 15, passed away after experiencing stomach discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea on Monday and Tuesday.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Grace Tsakpa, confirmed the incident in Lafia and mentioned that health workers have been sent to the community to conduct tests on surviving family members.
While awaiting the results of these tests, Tsakpa suggested that the deaths could be linked to food poisoning as symptoms appeared shortly after the children consumed a meal on the farm.
She highlighted that samples have been taken from other family members, focusing on a suspicion of food poisoning due to the timing of events following the meal on the farm.
The unfortunate incident affected two brothers’ families, where one child initially complained of abdominal pain and succumbed to it, followed by the other four children exhibiting similar symptoms and passing away.
The state epidemiologist expressed condolences to the grieving families and assured them of efforts to uncover the true cause behind the children’s deaths. Samuel Akala, the Publicity Secretary of the Migili Youth Association, mentioned that the children fell ill while accompanying their parents to the farm near Keana Local Government Area.
Akala urged the Nasarawa State Government and relevant authorities to promptly investigate the matter to address the situation and prevent further loss of life among children in the region.
He said, “We lost the five children in less than 24 hours in the same community. The children left home for the farm. While on the farm, one of them started complaining of stomach ache and started vomiting and purging at the same time.
“Within a short time, he began to have difficulty with his breathing, and when he was rushed home, he died. The other children had similar symptoms and died.
“The case is still on the increase and we have yet to discover the cause of their deaths.”
He called for a forensic investigation into the sudden deaths of the children and recommended that the Centre for Disease Control and Primary Healthcare Development Agency conduct disease surveillance in Obi and Keana LGAs, where cases of acute diarrhoea, vomiting, and child deaths have been reported.
Akala stressed the community’s need for answers and urged authorities to swiftly identify the cause and solution to prevent further outbreaks and protect the population.
