Two more kids die of ‘food poisoning’ in Gauteng
The Gauteng Department of Health has confirmed the deaths of another two children in an apparent incident of food poisoning.
The latest incident in Westonaria on Wednesday.
This follows a similar incident in Naledi, south of Johannesburg, which also claimed the lives of two children who allegedly ate snacks from the local spaza.
Two other children survived the incident and were receiving medical treatment in hospital.
In. the latest incident, four boys aged two, three, four and six allegedly ate sweets and chips from a vendor at West Deep in Westonaria.
Health spokesperson Motalale Modiba says the boys were transported to different medical facilities.
"Sadly, this resulted in two of the boys, aged two and three, being declared dead on arrival at Bekkersdal West Community Health Centre. The other two boys (4 and 6 years old) have since been transferred to Leratong Hospital for observation and further management. They are both in a stable condition.
"The department has since offered trauma counselling services to the affected families. The recent tragedy brings to four the number of children who died from food poisoning-related incidents in as many days."
Modiba adds that outbreak response teams remain on the ground in various communities.
"The awareness is focusing on food handling, preparation, storage and food safety, the importance of checking food expiry labels and hand washing before handling food. Communities are also empowered on what to do when presenting with food poisoning symptoms such as cramping, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.
"Part of the advocacy work includes reaching out to vendors and spaza shops in the area to check compliance in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act and food labelling regulations.”
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