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Two Children Die After Suspected Toad Poisoning in Remote Cusco Community

Investigators are testing samples to pinpoint the toxin responsible.

Overview

  • The poisoning occurred Sunday morning in the native community of Alto Parijari, Unión Asháninka, La Convención, in the VRAEM’s Bajo Urubamba sector.
  • A baby about one year old died roughly an hour after eating the sapo-based dish, and an 11-year-old girl died during transfer to higher-level care.
  • Six relatives—the parents and four children—were admitted to Hospital San Juan de Kimbiri and are reported stable under close medical observation.
  • Patients developed rapid-onset nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and intense abdominal pain, with weak pulse and hypotension noted; officials say the fatal cases likely progressed to cardiorespiratory arrest.
  • Health authorities and police are pursuing two working hypotheses—species misidentification versus improper preparation of a traditionally consumed amphibian—with laboratory analyses underway and risk guidance to follow.