Food poisoning-related deaths among children in Gauteng continue to grow, and the Gauteng Department of Health has expressed worry and advised parents to educate their children about what they consume. Image: SABC News
(The Post News)- The death rate resulting from food poisoning in children has increased following multiple incidents of suspected food poisoning cases that were reported on Thursday, August 29.
The first incident was reported at the Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Tshwane on Thursday night, where two boy siblings, aged four and six, died from a suspected food-borne illness. According to reports, the siblings had shared a meal together at home, and the four-year-old was pronounced dead when he arrived in the hospital, while the six-year-old, who was unconscious and frothing through his mouth and nostrils, later succumbed to the illness.
Meanwhile, on the same night, three Vosloorus children, aged three, five, and six, were transported to Jabulani Dumane Community Health Clinic with symptoms of nausea and fatigue. The three- and five-year-olds, who are reported to be neighbors, died upon arrival, while the six-year-old was resuscitated and transported to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital for further medical attention, where he remains in critical condition.
The children allegedly ate potato chips they got from their 28-year-old uncle, who was also admitted to Thelle Mogoerane after displaying symptoms of food poisoning, and he was discharged the following day after being observed.Since February of this year, 207 incidences of food poisoning have been reported in Gauteng, the majority of which have involved children.
The Gauteng Department of Health has raised concerns over the large increase in food poisoning incidents in children, especially in townships, informal settlements, and hostels (TISH) communities.
According to the department, many of these instances occurred in the district of Ekurhuleni, which recorded 119 cases and four deaths, followed by 40 cases in Johannesburg, 31 cases and three deaths in Tshwane, 14 cases in the West Rand district, and three cases and three deaths in Sedibeng.
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