Gauteng Health Sounds The Alarm As Food Poisoning Is On The Rise

The Gauteng Department of Health has urged parents and caregivers to be more vigilant with their children, as more and more cases of food poisoning have been reported in the province.

The department said that a number of children have been impacted by food poisoning, especially in townships, informal settlements and hostels TISH.

Over the last week, two incidents were reported at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital DGMAH in Tshwane and Jabulani Dumane Community Health Centre in Ekurhuleni respectively.

Two siblings, aged 4 and 6, died as a result of the foodborne illness. The children had shared a meal of pap and soup at home and after showing signs of distress they were taken to hospital.

The 4-year-old boy was pronounced dead on arrival at George Mukhari Hospital while his 6-year-old brother was unresponsive and eventually succumbed to the illness.