Health facilities in the Free State have been managing the influx of patients who have flocked to hospitals since Wednesday, November 6, due to suspected cases of food poison ingestion.
Ministry spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said the Free State provincial government is concerned about the spread of these incidents, which somehow reflect an orchestrated plan. In addition, the ministry encouraged the public to exercise caution regarding the places and environments where they purchase their food and the conditions under which their food is packaged, prepared and distributed.
He said the department is calling on citizens not to consume expired food products and report it to law enforcement agencies.
On Friday, 45 students from Daluvuyo Primary School in Welcome were treated and discharged. The only student left was a 10-year-old male who is now being treated for other ailments apparently worsened by the ingestion of a poisoned snack. The patient continues to be treated and observed at the Bongani Regional Hospital in Welcome, Mvambi said.
About 47 students from Ihobe Primary School were treated and discharged at the Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital in Bloemfontein on Thursday. Of the 47 children, only 2 were still being treated on Friday.
A student from Toka Primary School in Bloemfontein was treated and discharged the same day.
In another incident, about 15 students from Mooifontein School in Zastron were also treated for a suspected case of food poisoning. Only one female student, aged 16, was admitted to Embekweni District Hospital in Zastron.
On Friday, health authorities responded quickly to two separate incidents of suspected food poisoning, Mvambi said.
In one incident, 13 students with suspected food poisoning were seen at the Rearabetswe Clinic in Meloding, Virginia, while 6 students were seen at the Mamahabane Clinic in Ventersburg.
Liezl Scheepers
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