Aweil medical officer raises red flag on consumption of poisonous cassava leaves

By Hou Akot Hou

Residents of Barmayen payam in Aweil Center County have been warned to refrain from consuming poisonous cassava leaves after two deaths were recorded.

Lino Panjap, a medical officer at Barmayen payam, said Aweng Ayok Deng and her son died after consuming the leaves.

Panjaap said the woman cooked the cassava leaves because they lacked money to afford a meal. Some parts of Northern Bahr El Ghazal are food insecure following years of heavy flooding.

He revealed the husband of the late Ayok remains in critical condition at Barmayen hospital.

A similar suspected food poisoning was reported last week in Aroyo, the headquarter of Aweil Center County.