Pesticide In Snack Said Likely Killed Kids

Laboratory tests show that 27 schoolchildren who died after eating cassava roots last week were poisoned with pesticide, health experts said Monday. Authorities earlier said they suspected the victims from Mabini town on central Bohol island were sickened with cyanide poisoning that occurs if the starchy cassava roots are not properly cooked. But Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit told a news conference that tests showed pesticide was likely the cause.

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