80 people hospitalized in Zambia due to suspected food poisoning

LUSAKA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- At least 80 people were rushed to various hospitals due to suspected food poisoning after they bought shawarma, a kind of meat or chicken wrap, at a fast food outlet in Zambia’s Chililabombwe Town in Copperbelt Province, the police said on Tuesday.

Copperbelt Province Police Commissioner Peacewell Mweemba said in a statement that the incident occurred on April 7 after health workers at one of the hospitals reported receiving 53 people who were complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting after eating shawarma.

He said other patients were admitted to different health facilities with similar complaints.

The police visited Grace Clinic, where they found 10 patients admitted, three patients admitted at Lubengele Clinic, and 14 patients admitted at Konkola Mine Hospital, bringing the total number of admitted patients to 80, he said.

Mweemba further said the condition of those admitted was stable and that the owner of the takeaway had since been picked up and detained to assist with the investigation.