Over 70 matric girls hospitalized in Gauteng: Investigation launched into food poisoning incident
Luckily the learners were all released the same day.
Authorities still have no answers for what caused more than 70 matric girls to be rushed to hospital with suspected food poisoning this week.
According to the Gauteng Health Department’s spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, the 74 girls from Fochville Secondary School, Badirile Secondary School, and Wedela Technical School had to be rushed to hospital at approximately 09:00 on October 10.
“The learners, aged between 17 and 20 years, were part of a matric camp at Fochville Secondary School. Around 42 learners reported to the Fochville Clinic and 32 learners to the Kokosi Clinic with similar symptoms including stomach cramps and diarrhea. Upon assessment, all affected learners were referred to the Carletonville District Hospital for further medical evaluation. One learner was taken to a private facility while 73 went to Carletonville hospital,” said Modiba.
According to Carletonville Hospital’s communication officer, Matabo Letsoalo, the girls were accommodated and treated quickly even though there were so many of them. Gauteng EMS notified the hospital beforehand. During the Herald’s visit to the hospital during the ordeal all the girls looked comfortable and were constantly checked on by hospital staff. Luckily most of them were in stable condition and, as a result, all of the affected girls recovered so well that they were released by 16:30 the same afternoon.
The question, however, remains of what had caused the girls’ illness. As far as could be determined, none of the teachers who attended the same camp and had eaten the same food as the girls got sick.
Meanwhile, some authorities were shifting the responsibility of who is supposed to determine the cause of the girls’ illness.
Although the matric camp was part of activities organised by the Gauteng Department of Education, their spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said that the Gauteng Health Department was investigating the cause of the incident.
“This is a Department of Education matter as learners seem to have eaten something from the school camp, but compliance of kitchens in the community and food establishments is the responsibility of the local municipality. However, our department is working with them to find out what happened,” said another communication official of the Department of Health, Thuso Montwedi.
The municipality, in turn, referred all questions to the West Rand District Municipality’s Environmental Health Department. Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Health gave some tips on how to prevent food poisoning as several similar incidents occurred in other schools elsewhere in the country this week. In some of the incidents children even died.
“We remind the public to be vigilant about food safety and ensure the proper handling of perishable and non-perishable food items. It is important that food is cooked thoroughly, stored at the correct temperature, and consumed within safe time frames. The washing of hands before handling food and after using the bathroom to avoid cross-contamination is equally important. The public is further advised to consider alternative methods other than pesticides and insecticides to make their properties and gardens unattractive to pests. Where pesticides and insecticides are used it is important to follow the safety instructions and seek urgent medical attention if you suspect poisoning,” says Modiba.
