Concerns have risen over the health of school children after more than 70 matriculants from different schools in the West Rand were hospitalised following a suspected food poisoning incident at a matric camp. Their hospitalisation comes a day after 35 learners were also rushed to a hospital in Malamulele, Limpopo, after they complained of stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

WORRISOME

Gauteng Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said 74 female learners from Fochville Secondary School, Badirile Secondary School and Wedela Technical School ,who were part of a matric camp at Fochville Secondary School, fell sick this morning. Modiba said the learners, aged between 17 and 20 years old, were taken to different clinics at around 9am with similar symptoms of stomach cramps and diarrhoea. "Upon assessment, all affected learners were referred to Carletonville District Hospital for further medical evaluation. One learner was taken to a private facility, while 73 went to the hospital. Our healthcare teams are closely monitoring the situation. Fortunately, the learners are mostly in a stable condition," Modiba said.

MORE LEARNERS SUFFERS FOOD POISONING

Meanwhile, the Limpopo Department of Education is investigating an alleged food poisoning incident at the Makahlule primary school in Ntlhaveni Block H, Malamulele, after 22 learners were rushed to a nearby clinic when they started vomiting mysteriously yesterday. The learners were later transferred to Malamulele Hospital. 

NO FATALITIES

Spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Education, Mosebjane Kgaffe, said the 22 learners were treated and discharged. "A second group comprising 13 learners was rushed to the hospital complaining of headaches and stomach cramps. They were also released after screening by health professionals," said Kgaffe adding that the department will take food samples that learners had on Wednesday for testing to ascertain if the school nutrition rations could have been the cause. 

SNACKS TO BE TESTED

Limpopp MEC for Education Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya said the department will take the snacks sold by vendors outside the school premises to the lab for sampling with the assistance of health inspectors. "We call on the parents and education community not to panic as the situation is under control and will be investigated thoroughly to ensure that learners are safe at all times." This incident comes just days after a tragedy that took place in Naledi, Soweto where five learners died from allegedly consuming snacks suspected to be laced with poison.