Two toddlers die of food poisoning in W’aria
This comes after they consumed sweets and chips at a vendor in West Deep. Two others are in hospital.
Two children aged two and three have died and two others are in hospital following an incident of food poisoning. This was after they consumed sweets and chips from a vendor at West Deep in Westonaria.
News of this was confirmed by the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) who said that the incident occurred on October 4.
Head of Communication for the GDoH, Motalatale Modiba said outbreak response teams are on the ground, engaging with locals and conducting health education.
“The department would like to confirm another incident of food poisoning where four boys aged two to six years from the West Rand District allegedly consumed sweets and chips from a vendor at West Deep in Westonaria. Sadly, this resulted in two of the boys being declared dead on arrival at Bekkersdal West Community Health Centre. The other two boys have since been transferred to Leratong Hospital for observation and further management, they are both in a stable condition,” said Modiba who added that the department has since offered trauma counselling services to the affected families.
Meanwhile, this brings the number of children who have died from food poisoning to four, with the other incident having occurred in Naledi, Soweto.
“The GDoH would like to pass its heartfelt condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones and also wish a speedy recovery to those who are currently admitted to hospitals. Response teams are now focusing on the awareness of food handling, preparation, storage and food safety, the importance of checking food expiry labels and hand washing before handling food. Communities are also empowered on what to do when presenting with food poisoning symptoms such as cramping, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea,” said Modiba.
He added that part of the advocacy work includes reaching out to vendors and spaza shops in the area, to check compliance in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act and food labelling regulations.
Outbreak response teams have visited the affected families to provide support, counselling and to conduct further investigations in the households.
The department is urging the public to visit their nearest health facilities when they present with symptoms such as vomiting, sudden chest pains, body ache/ weakness, fever or foam in the mouth.
