A total of 139 people have been admitted to Ekwendeni Mission Hospital in Mzimba North since Saturday after consuming contaminated thobwa (sweet beer) during a tombstone unveiling ceremony.

The ceremony took place in the Ekwendeni 1 area. According to Mphatso Ngulube Chikhwaza, Head of Mission Hospitals in the Livingstonia Synod, it is suspected that the sweet beer served at the event was not safe for consumption.

Chikhwaza said the hospital is currently investigating the exact source of the outbreak, as more people continue to arrive with symptoms of diarrhea.

He added that while some patients have already been treated and discharged, several others remain under medical care.

More details to come…

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