Two children have died and more than 60 others remain under medical observation following a suspected case of food poisoning in the New-Bell district of Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital.
The governor of the Littoral region, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, confirmed the tragic development on Tuesday, describing the situation as a public health emergency.
The affected children, he said, had reportedly consumed locally made pastries sold by a street vendor known for traditional baking.
“We are facing an emergency situation that arose in the second arrondissement, more precisely in New-Bell,” Governor Ivaha Diboua told reporters.
“It turns out that a merchant, perhaps one who does a bit of traditional baking, not necessarily classic, is known as the one who has power in terms of galettes at the level of this unit.
And the children who ate these galettes are full of violence, stomach aches, etc.”
He continued: “I was just going to say that there have been cases of poisoning from these cookies.
The doctor himself went to the police station because he didn’t understand what was happening.
The situation prompted us to mobilize the health services to quickly take care of these children.”
Two children succumbed to the poisoning at New-Bell district hospital.
Meanwhile, Laquintinie Hospital has received over 60 children in connection with the incident.
While no further fatalities have been reported there, the situation remains tense.
“Here at Laquintinie, we have more than 60 children who have arrived and are under good control,” the governor assured.
“We simply want to say that the situation is under control, and that the population, who necessarily care for these children, can also observe a certain calm.
The hospital is taking vigorous measures.”
Health authorities, alongside law enforcement, are currently investigating the exact source of the contamination.
The governor indicated that the hospital’s director may soon provide additional clinical details as investigations continue.
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