Cape Town – The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has expressed deep concern over a surge in food poisoning cases, particularly among children.
On Monday, 41 children aged three to five were hospitalised at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto after ingesting rat poison, mistaken for candy, The Citizen reported.
“This incident is reported to have taken place at a preschool, and investigations are being conducted to establish more facts,” the report quoted the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) as saying.
According to EWN, another food poisoning episode saw two adults and eight children referred to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Ekurhuleni for treatment.
These incidents contributed to a total of over 860 recorded foodborne occurrences since October last year, resulting in 11 fatalities.
Khutso Rabothata, the acting head of communications at the GDoH, urged parents and caregivers to take proactive measures in safeguarding children from food poisoning risks.
“The GDoH’s public health mobilization team remains committed to conducting educational campaigns in communities, particularly in townships, informal settlements, and hostels, to raise awareness about the dangers of foodborne illnesses and equip them with food safety knowledge.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
