At least 79 people have been hospitalized at Kenema Government Hospital after they exhibited symptoms of weakness, unconscious and convulsion on Wednesday, according to authorities at hospital.
Upon investigation by the Hospital, it was reported that the patients attended a graduation ceremony where they ate cake, ginger beer, and water the previous day.
There is unconfirmed report that the patients may have suffered food poisoning.
The Hospital said that in the early hours of Wednesday, they received 10 patients soliciting their services with a generalized complaints of weakness and unconscious, few hours later the number increased.
The age of victims ranges from 5 to 90 years, with 86% male and 14 % female. 15 patients came in unconscious, 6 with convulsions/twitching, all of which are responding to treatment, according to hospital sources.
The heath authorities said samples from patients have been sent to Freetown for testing.
By George M.O. Williams