Alarm over cases of food poisoning

The spike in food poisoning cases in Gauteng, especially involving children, is deeply concerning, according to the Gauteng department of health.

This comes after 41 children, between the ages of three and five, were sent to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto for medical treatment on Monday for allegedly consuming rat poison after apparently mistaking it for sweets.

In another food poisoning incident, 10 people, two adults and eight children, were referred to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Ekurhuleni from Ramokonopi Community Health Centre on Monday night.

The department said that of the 41 children, 17 were admitted for overnight observation at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, while the remaining 24 were discharged.

“This incident is reported to have taken place at a preschool, and investigations are being conducted to establish more facts,” the department said.

At Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital, the two adults were discharged after receiving medical care on Monday night, two children were discharged yesterday morning, while the six remaining children are still in the hospital and in a stable condition.

According to the department, Monday’s two cases bring the total number of foodborne incidents recorded to 863, with 11 lives claimed since the first incident in October 2023.

The department’s public health unit dispatched a team comprising an epidemiologist, health promotion officers and environmental health officers to the facilities to assess the environment and advise where there are gaps yesterday.

“The Gauteng department will continue working tirelessly to address food safety concerns and provide the necessary support and resources to our communities.”

The department further urged people experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, cramping, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, stomach aches, sudden swelling of the face and body aches or weakness to visit their nearest health facilities for medical attention.