Authorities in Aweil South County are investigating
potential food poisoning after a supper killed both parents and left their four
children critically ill.
The incident occurred in Amac-rol hamlet in Wathmuok Payam
on Tuesday night.
“Yes, the father and mother have already died, and their
four children are in a critical situation,” Kuot Pel Pel, county health
director, confirmed to Akol Yam FM on Wednesday.
The deceased are Adau Akol Wek, 35, and her husband, Aguot
Makuac Bol, 55.
The Bols fell ill on Tuesday evening after eating jute
mallow, also known as 'Kuthura'.
The four children in critical condition are Abuk (12), Ajak
(5), Aguot (3), and Wol Aguot Makuac (one and a half).
Pel described the symptoms as vomiting, diarrhea, and
others.
“I want to tell the public to observe proper hygiene when
they are preparing food. The greens have to be washed properly and cooked
well,” he advised.
Jute mallow is a popular green vegetable in many African
countries, including South Sudan, Sudan, Kenya, and the West African states.
The leaves and fragile stems are cooked or braised.
What made the dinner deadly to the family is unknown.
However, Luka Lual Aleu, health education focal person of the state health
ministry, believes the food poisoning was caused by dangerous fertilizer
chemicals.
Lual says the government would investigate the incidents to
determine the exact cause of death.
“We, the health professionals, suspect poor hygiene, an
unwell-cooked food, and harmful chemicals used to kill insects affect greens.
So, we will investigate the incident.”