According to Gauteng Health spokesman, Motalatale Modiba, two incidents were reported at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Tshwane and Jabulani Dumane Community Health Centre in Vosloorus Ekurhuleni respectively on Thursday, 29 August.
Two boys, who are siblings aged four and six, suffered from a suspected foodborne illness.
“They had shared a common meal (pap and soup) at home. The four-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at Dr George Mukhari while his brother was unresponsive, foaming through the mouth and nostrils and eventually succumbed to the illness,” said Modiba.
He said another three-year-old boy, who is the brothers’ cousin, was brought to the hospital with them even though he did not eat the same food and was discharged after observation.
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In a separate incident, Modiba said three children aged three, five and six from Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni were brought to Jabulani Dumane on Thursday, 29 August presenting with symptoms of vomiting and body weakness.
“Two children, the three and five-year-old who are neighbours died on arrival, while the six-year-old was resuscitated and taken to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital for further medical care. He remains critical,” said Modiba.
He said upon further investigation, it was discovered that a 28-years-old man, who is the three and six-year-old’s uncle had shared potato chips with the three children.
“He was later admitted to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital following symptoms of food poisoning. He was discharged on Friday morning, 30 August after observation,” said Modiba.
Modiba said a total of 207 food poisoning cases affecting children have been reported across the province since the beginning of February, which have unfortunately resulted in 10 deaths.
He said most of these incidents saw Ekurhuleni district recording 119 cases with four deaths, followed by Joburg with 40 cases, Tshwane had 31 cases resulting in three deaths, West Rand had 14 cases, while Sedibeng district has three cases and three deaths.
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the department is deeply concerned by 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 and conduct health education sessions in schools targeting pupils and school vendors.
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“These sessions focus on the importance of hand hygiene, proper food handling and preparation, water hygiene, clean environments, sanitation and food expiry dates among other topics,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
She called on parents and guardians to take greater responsibility by educating their children to be careful about what they eat.
“The whole of society needs to play an active role in this area including discouraging illegal dumping as this also poses a threat to human health, leading to various diseases and illnesses.” said Nkomo-Ralehoko
She said environmental health teams working with local municipalities continue to conduct inspections and encourage small business operators to apply for compliance certificates and to ensure they have proper zoning certificates.
“Non-compliant vendors identified during inspections are issued with fines and prohibition notices, some of them are closed by the local authorities,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Happy Mnguni
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