A one-year-old baby died and his entire family were almost wiped out on February 11, due to an unknown infection.
The infant was vomiting, showed symptoms of diarrhoea and had abdominal pains. The family members were admitted to Shongwe Hospital after they all started showing the same symptoms.
The infant’s family include a four-year-old girl and two boys aged six and seven, who all reside with their 23-year-old aunt.
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According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the family had their meals as usual when they suddenly fell sick.
“The family were all taken to hospital and the infant was unfortunate not to have survived. The aunt was treated and discharged from hospital on the same day, and the other three children are still receiving medical attention.”
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Mohlala said the cause of death is not known yet.
“Currently it is not yet known what the infection might be, but once a post-mortem is conducted and samples from the survivors are taken, the real cause of death and infection will be revealed.”
The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, said everyone must be cautious when it comes to food and must take note of the expiry dates.
