Food poisoning suspected in deaths of two on West Rand
According to the Gauteng Department of Health, there has been a suspected food poisoning cluster outbreak following a
funeral in Kagiso, west of Johannesburg.
Spokesperson for the department Kwara Kekana says by Thursday there were 29 notified and verified cases of the poisoning.
“There are 29 verified cases admitted and treated in both public and private facilities which are awaiting results of samples collected to find causative organism.”
Kekana explains the poisoning apparently originated at a funeral on Saturday.
“The poisoning is suspected to have emanated from a funeral of an elderly woman, funeral proceedings are reported to have began at 7h00 am on Saturday. Food was served around 11h00 am, and reports of sudden vomiting and diarrhoea began at around 4pm on the same day.”
By Sunday evening, Kekana says there were rumours of eight cases of people with symptoms and one death.
“There is an additional 11 unverified cases and 2 suspected deaths, as the district health services waits for the cause of death report.”
She adds that investigations are ongoing.
“Water and food samples have also been collected and the district health services is awaiting results. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.”
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