Outbreak: 75 Fatalities After a Funeral Poisoning in Mozambique

In this episode of The Poison Lab Outbreak, Ryan talks with Dr. Alaina Steck about a devastating mass poisoning in Mozambique that began at a funeral and ultimately sickened more than 200 people, with a fatality toll of over 70.Early reports blamed crocodile bile. Others suspected intentional poisoning. But as the investigation unfolded, the clinical picture, timeline, and exposure history did not fit neatly with the early theories.Dr. Steck, then a medical toxicology fellow at Emory, joined a CDC-supported outbreak investigation team sent to Mozambique. She walks through what it was like to investigate the outbreak on the ground, including the overwhelmed rural health center, limited medical records, scarce biological and environmental samples, early toxicologic hypotheses, and the eventual role of comparative food testing in identifying the cause.This episode explores the real-world uncertainty of outbreak investigation: incomplete data, competing theories, community fear, and the importance of epidemiology, toxicology, public health, and analytical chemistry working together.Topics CoveredMass poisoning investigation in rural MozambiqueEarly reports of crocodile bile and suspected intentional poisoningClinical presentations including GI symptoms, seizures, pulmonary edema, liver injury, kidney injury, and multisystem diseaseChallenges of interpreting sparse medical records during a mass casualty eventHow toxicologists approach possible intentional poisoningWhy exposure history and timing matter in outbreak investigationThe importance of control samples in analytical testingLessons for clinicians, poison centers, and public health teamsGuestDr. Alaina SteckMedical toxicologist, Emory UniversityFormer medical toxicology fellow involved in the CDC-supported investigation of the Mozambique outbreakResources (Spoilers)Outbreak paperU.S. CaseInstagram @tox_talk • Twitter @LabPoison • Email [email protected]: The Poison Lab is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. If you suspect a poisoning, contact your local poison center. In the U.S., call 1-800-222-1222.A Morel DilemmaSupport the showReview the show where ever your listeningGet Messages from Toxo (Join the Newsletter!)Join as a supporting memberAd free episodesBonus content and early accessDiscounts and give aways on GOTA PICCEM Mushroom card gameThe GOTTA PICCEM Poisonous Mushroom Game!The Poisonus Fungus Amongus Children's Book!Full book reading (6 minutes!)Tox trinkets (Rep the show at home!)Reach the showEmail: [email protected] Show ResourcesRyan's Medical Games and ResourcesShow Website