Zambia: 17 hospitalised over suspected poisoned water
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Lusaka Times
Seventeen people, including a 10-month-old baby, have been hospitalised after consuming water from a well suspected of being contaminated in Chasefu, Zambia. Patients are suffering in particular from abdominal pain and diarrhoea, while toxicologists are analysing water and human samples to identify the substance, doctor Chota Phiri said.
Seventeen people, including a 10-month-old baby, have been admitted to Lundazi District Hospital after consuming water from a community well suspected of having been contaminated with a toxic substance in Zambia’s Chasefu district. The patients are suffering from abdominal pain and diarrhoea, but their condition is stable, according to Chota Phiri, the hospital’s acting chief medical officer.
Those hospitalised include 10 children, two men and seven women. The incident is reported to have affected about 38 residents, while the suspected contaminator is also receiving treatment after apparently ingesting the substance. A team of toxicologists is analysing water and blood samples to determine its nature and origin, according to Chota Phiri.
Oscar Zimba, one of the patients, said he saw a family member leave the water point hurriedly on Monday evening before ingesting the suspected substance when confronted. Zambia’s police had not yet issued a statement, Lusaka Times reports.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
