The Gauteng Health Department says a total of 207 food poisoning cases affecting children have been reported across the province since the beginning of February 2024, resulting in 10 deaths.
The department said most of these incidents were Ekurhuleni district recording 119 cases with four deaths, followed by Johannesburg with 40 cases, Tshwane had 31 cases resulting in three deaths, while the West Rand district had 14 cases and Sedibeng district had three cases and three deaths.
The department has called on parents and caregivers to exercise extreme caution to ensure the safety of their children.
This comes after the surge in the number of food poisoning cases affecting children, particularly in townships, informal settlements and hostels (TISH) communities.
On Thursday night, two incidents were reported at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) in Tshwane and Jabulani Dumane Community Health Centre (CHC) in Ekurhuleni, respectively.
Two boys, who are siblings aged 4 and 6, perished after they suffered from a suspected foodborne illness.
The childen had earlier shared a common meal (pap and soup) at home. George Mukhari hospital, while his 6-year-old brother was unresponsive, foaming at the mouth and nostrils. The boy eventually succumbed to the illness.
Another 3-year-old boy, who is a cousin to the two and was brought to the hospital with them, even though he did not consume the same food, was discharged after observation as he remained asymptomatic.
On the same night, in a separate incident, three children aged 3, 5 and 6 from Vosloorus were brought to Jabulani Dumane CHC presenting with symptoms of vomiting and body weakness.
Two children (3 and 5 yearsold, who are neighbours) died on arrival, while the 6-year-old was resuscitated and taken to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital for further medical care.
He remains very critical.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that a man, 28, who happens to be an uncle to two of the children (3 and 6 years old) had shared potato chips with the three children.
He was later admitted at Thelle Mogoerane following symptoms of food poisoning. He was discharged on Friday morning after observation.
“The department is deeply concerned with the rising incidents of 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 amongt other topics,” said Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
She called on parents and guardians to take greater responsibility by educating their children to be careful about what they consume.
“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 in communities while encouraging small business operators in TISH communities to apply for compliance certificates and to ensure that they have proper zoning certificates.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said non-compliant vendors identified during the inspections are issued with fines and prohibition notices; some of them are closed by the local authorities.
The department said it continues to call on municipalities to intensify their efforts in enforcing by-laws to ensure that local shops comply with hygiene standards to avoid potential contamination of food items.
Meanwhile, there has been a campaigns by some groups, including Operation Dudula, that had identified a number of foreign-owned shops selling expired goods in Soweto. They have since forced them to shut down.
The Star