Four children died and seven other people have been hospitalized at a health facility in Akobo County in Jonglei State after suspected food poisoning on Sunday.

The seven patients are among 11 members of the same family who fell ill after eating a meal of fish on Sunday night. Three children died on the spot while another one succumbed at the health facility where they were taken for urgent medical attention.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday evening, Puok Nyang Tutjiek, the Akobo County commissioner, said the family had gone hungry for three days when they secured the meal which eventually led to the deadly incident.

“The family had no food for three days but on Sunday, they got some dry fish which was prepared but after they ate, it resulted in the immediate death of three children while another one later died at the hospital,” he explained. “This incident occurred on Sunday at 11 p.m. and since then 7 adult family members have remained at Akobo Hospital where they are being treated. They present with clinal manifestations varying from diarrhea, vomiting, and profuse sweating.”

The commissioner said the cause of the incident remains unclear and that relevant health authorities have been notified to commission a probe.

“We do not know what exactly prompted the incident. We notified health officials in Bor and Juba that this problem should be investigated," Nyang said. "We are not investigating it and have not collected food samples because we do not have capacity.”