4 children die of food poisoning in Pretoria, Vosloorus

Four children aged between four and six years old succumbed to food poisoning in two separate incidents in Pretoria and Vosloorus on Thursday night. More than 200 cases of food poisoning involving children, resulting in 10 deaths, have been reported since February.

In the first incident two brothers, aged 4 and 6, died from food poisoning in Pretoria after sharing pap and soup at home.

According to the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) spokesperson Motalatale Modiba, this tragic incident happened Thursday evening.

“Two boys who are siblings died after they suffered from a suspected foodborne illness. They had shared a common meal (pap and soup) at home.

“The four-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Tshwane while his brother, the six-year-old, was unresponsive, foaming through the mouth and nostrils and eventually succumbed to the illness.”

He said another three-year-old boy who is a cousin to the two and was brought to the hospital with them, did not show any signs of poisoning and was discharged after observation. He did not consume the same food as the other two boys.

“The GDoH calls on parents and caregivers to exercise extreme caution to ensure the safety of their children.

“This comes after the surge in the number of food poisoning cases affecting children, particularly in townships, informal settlements, and hostels communities.”

Modiba said on the same night, in a separate incident, three children aged 3, 5, and 6 years from Vosloorus were brought to Jabulani Dumane CHC, presenting with symptoms of vomiting and body weakness.

“Two children (aged 3 and 5 years who are neighbours) died on arrival, while the 6-year-old was resuscitated, and taken to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital for further medical care. He remains very critical.”

Modiba said that upon further investigation, it was discovered that a 28-year-old uncle of two of the children had shared potato chips with the three children.

“He was later admitted at Thelle Mogoerane following symptoms of food poisoning. He was discharged on Friday morning after observation.”

He added that a total of 207 food poisoning cases affecting children have been reported across the province since the beginning of February, which have unfortunately resulted in 10 deaths.

Here is a breakdown of cases:

• Tshwane had 31 cases, resulting in three deaths.
• Johannesburg recorded 40 cases.
• Ekurhuleni district recorded 119 cases, with four deaths.
• West Rand district had 14 cases.
• Sedibeng district has three cases and three deaths.

“The Department is deeply concerned with the rising incidents of the deaths of children related to foodborne illnesses. We are working closely with multiple stakeholders and the Gauteng Department of Education to heighten awareness in TISH communities and conduct health education sessions in schools targeting learners and school vendors.

“These sessions focus on the importance of hand hygiene, proper food handling and preparation, water hygiene, clean environments, sanitation, food expiry dates amongst other topics,” explains Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.

The MEC further called on parents and guardians to take greater responsibility by educating their children to be careful about what they consume.

“The whole of society needs to play an active role in this area, including discouraging illegal dumping as this also poses a threat to human health, leading to various diseases and illnesses.”

Environmental health teams working with local municipalities continue to conduct inspections in communities and encourage small business operators in TISH communities to apply for compliance certificates and ensure they have proper zoning certificates.