The shocking incident happened at Mpoza village outside Tsolo on the Eastern Cape province in South Africa.
Around 60 people are believed to be suffering from the after effects of the snake’s deadly venom, which had spread in the animal’s flesh.
Sixteen children were among those suffering from diarrhoea, vomiting and severe stomach cramps, including eight that had been transferred to the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital's paediatric ward.
The others were treated at Mthatha Regional Hospital.
Eastern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo confirmed the people had been rushed to four nearby hospitals for treatment.
Four elderly patients who also ate the contaminated meat were transferred to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital.
It is unclear whether any of their conditions are life threatening.
Mr Kupelo warned local villagers never to eat any livestock that had been killed by poisonous snakes.
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He said: “Given the mass casualty nature of the incident, St Barnabas Hospital in Libode has also been put on standby to create space for additional patients that don't require tertiary or regional services.
“The department is urging communities to stop consuming meat from dead animals you find as it is dangerous to do so.”
Cobra is the common name of various venomous snakes. All of the known cobras are poisonous and most are capable of rearing upwards and producing a hood when threatened.
Their venom contains toxins that spread rapidly in a victim’s bloodstream, causing respiratory failure and, eventually, death.