WATCH | Gauteng food poisoning incidents linked to chemical pathoge – Motsoaledi

Motsoaledi

Cape Town – Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says the suspected food poisoning incidents in Gauteng are linked to a chemical pathogen rather than a biological one.

In an interview with Newzroom Africa, Monday, Motsoaledi described these food poisoning incidents as a national security threat

Recent cases include six learners in Soweto dying from contaminated snacks, and several others being hospitalised in Sharpville and Bronkhorstspruit due to suspected food poisoning.

Motsoaledi said that after a long meeting with various institutes, it was concluded that food poisoning cases in Gauteng were linked to a chemical pathogen and not a biological one.

“After a long meeting, we have concluded that this is not a biological pathogen, rather it is a chemical pathogen,” he said.

The minister also said that the NATJOINTS (the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure) viewed all instances of food poisoning as a potential threat to the safety of the country and its citizens.

The South African Government News Agency reported that the Department of Health decided to rope in the National Institute of Communicable Diseases to help.

“Last week, NATJOINTS met to analyse this situation and after careful analysis, recommended that the Department of Health should coordinate all these investigations involving various institutions and bodies because in the final analysis, whatever is happening eventually leads to ill-health or even death,” said the health department.

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Compiled by Thandile Xesi

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