A 4-year-old child, Anuwalu Mauseni, tragically passed away after consuming food believed to have contained poison. The incident occurred in Kambulaje Village, Traditional Authority Mlomba, Machinga District, on February 16, 2025.

According to Ngwashape Msume, the Public Relations Officer at Liwonde Police Station, the outbreak began when residents from Kambulaje, Ndalo, Masinde, and Mpalume villages bought maize from a local seller at Ofesi Market. After preparing and eating nsima (a local staple made from maize), several individuals experienced severe symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea.

Unfortunately, the child’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and despite being rushed to Mlomba Health Centre, the child was declared dead upon arrival.

Authorities have collected samples of the suspected maize flour (ufa) and are sending them to a veterinary laboratory for further testing to determine whether poisoning was the cause of the illness. Meanwhile, 96 others have been treated as outpatients at Machinga District Hospital.

Investigations are ongoing as officials seek to understand the full extent of the incident.