There have been 207 food poisoning incidents that have claimed the lives of 10 people in Gauteng since February this year. The Department of Health in the province has since called on parents and guardians to educate their children to be careful about what they consume. 

KIDS IN TOWNSHIPS AND INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS AFFECTED

Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said there has been a surge in the number of food poisoning cases affecting children, particularly in townships, informal settlements, and hostels (TISH) communities. In the latest incidents on Thursday night, five kids were admitted at Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Tshwane and Jabulani Dumane Community Health Centre in Ekurhuleni, respectively. "Two boys who are siblings aged four and six died after they suffered from a suspected foodborne illness. They had earlier shared pap and soup at home. The 4-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital while his brother, the 6-year-old, was unresponsive, foaming through the mouth and nostrils and eventually succumbed to the illness, "Modiba said. On the same night, in a separate incident, three children aged 3, 5 and 6 years were admitted at the Jabulani Dumane Health Centre vomiting and weak. Modiba said in a statement that the two children who were neighbours died on arrival, while the third child was resuscitated and taken to the hospital for further medical care, where he remains very critical. "Upon further investigation, it was discovered that a 28-year-old male who happens to be an uncle to two of the children had shared potato chips with the three children. He was later admitted to the hospital following symptoms of food poisoning," he added.

A CRISIS

Modiba said most of the incidents were reported in Ekurhuleni were 119 cases recorded with four deaths. Fourty cases were reported in Johannesburg, 31 in Tshwane, where three deaths were recorded, while West Rand reported 14 cases and three in Sedibeng with district 3 deaths. Gauteng MEC for Health Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the department is deeply concerned with the rising incidents of the deaths of children related to foodborne illnesses. "We are working closely with multiple stakeholders and the Gauteng Department of Education to heighten awareness in TISH communities and conduct health education sessions in schools targeting learners, school vendors. These sessions focus on the importance of hand hygiene, proper food handling and preparation, water hygiene, clean environments, sanitation, and food expiry dates, amongst other topics,' she said.