By Phenyo Selinda
Johannesburg : The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has issued a warning to parents and caregivers in the province following a sharp increase in food poisoning cases affecting children, particularly in townships, informal settlements, and hostel (TISH) communities. The department is urging extreme caution to ensure the safety of children amidst this growing concern.
The call for vigilance comes after a series of incidents in the past few days, where multiple cases of foodborne illnesses were reported. These incidents have tragically resulted in the deaths of several children, prompting the department to emphasize the importance of food safety and hygiene practices.
Tragic Incidents in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni
On Thursday night, 29 August 2024, two devastating incidents were reported at Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) in Tshwane and Jabulani Dumane Community Health Centre (CHC) in Ekurhuleni, where young children succumbed to suspected foodborne illnesses.
In Tshwane, two siblings, aged 4 and 6 years, tragically passed away after consuming a shared meal of pap and soup at their home. The younger sibling, aged 4, was declared dead upon arrival at DGMAH. The 6-year-old, who had been unresponsive and showing severe symptoms such as foaming at the mouth and nostrils, also succumbed to the illness despite medical intervention. A 3-year-old cousin of the deceased children, who had been present at the time but did not consume the meal, was brought to the hospital as a precautionary measure and was discharged after observation, as he showed no symptoms.
That same night, in a separate incident in Ekurhuleni, three children aged 3, 5, and 6 years from Vosloorus were rushed to Jabulani Dumane CHC, displaying symptoms of vomiting and severe body weakness. Unfortunately, two of the children, aged 3 and 5 years, were declared dead on arrival. The 6-year-old was resuscitated and transferred to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital for further treatment, where he remains in critical condition.
Further investigation revealed that a 28-year-old man, who is the uncle of two of the affected children (aged 3 and 6 years), had shared potato chips with the three children before they fell ill. He was also admitted to Thelle Mogoerane following symptoms consistent with food poisoning but was discharged on Friday morning, 30 August 2024, after observation.
An Alarming Rise in Cases
The GDoH has reported that a total of 207 food poisoning cases affecting children have been recorded across Gauteng since the beginning of February 2024. Tragically, these cases have resulted in 10 deaths, raising serious concerns about food safety in the province.
Ekurhuleni has been identified as the most affected district, with 119 reported cases and 4 deaths. Johannesburg follows with 40 cases and 3 deaths, while Tshwane has recorded 31 cases and 3 deaths. The West Rand district has also been impacted, with 14 cases and 3 deaths, and Sedibeng has recorded 3 cases, all of which resulted in fatalities.
The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, expressed deep concern over the rise in foodborne illnesses, particularly those leading to the deaths of young children. She emphasized the department’s commitment to working with multiple stakeholders, including the Gauteng Department of Education, to heighten awareness and conduct health education sessions in schools targeting learners, school vendors, and small food operators.
Gauteng Health’s Action Plan
To address this critical issue, the GDoH, in collaboration with the Department of Education, has launched a series of initiatives aimed at preventing further food poisoning cases. These initiatives include comprehensive health education sessions that focus on the importance of hand hygiene, proper food handling and preparation, water hygiene, and maintaining clean environments. Additionally, these sessions emphasize the importance of checking food expiry dates and avoiding illegal dumping, which poses a significant threat to public health.
The department is also intensifying inspections of food vendors and small businesses in TISH communities to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Environmental health teams are working closely with local municipalities to conduct these inspections and encourage small business operators to apply for compliance certificates and proper zoning certificates, ensuring they meet the necessary standards to operate safely.
Vendors found to be non-compliant during these inspections are being issued fines and prohibition notices, and in some cases, their operations have been shut down by local authorities. The GDoH continues to urge municipalities to enforce bylaws stringently to ensure that local shops and vendors adhere to hygiene standards to prevent potential contamination of food items.
Community Responsibility and Awareness
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko also called on parents and guardians to take greater responsibility in educating their children about the dangers of consuming unsafe food. She emphasized that the well-being of children is a collective responsibility and that the entire community must play an active role in preventing foodborne illnesses. This includes discouraging illegal dumping and ensuring that food vendors comply with hygiene standards.
“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,” stated Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Motalatale Modiba, the Head of Communication at the Gauteng Department of Health, who issued the statement, reiterated the department’s commitment to safeguarding the health of the province’s children. He stressed the importance of vigilance and immediate action when food poisoning symptoms are detected, advising parents to seek medical assistance without delay.
Broader Context: A Provincial and National Concern
The rise in food poisoning cases in Gauteng is reflective of a broader issue that has been observed across South Africa. Recent reports indicate that food safety has become a significant concern, particularly in low-income communities where access to clean water and proper sanitation is limited. The Gauteng Department of Health’s response is part of a wider effort to address food safety issues that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including children.
According to health experts, foodborne illnesses are often caused by consuming contaminated food or water, which may carry harmful bacteria, viruses, or toxins. In areas with poor sanitation and inadequate access to clean water, the risk of contamination is higher, leading to outbreaks of illnesses that can be particularly severe in children due to their developing immune systems.
Recent Developments and Government Initiatives
In response to the growing concern over food safety, the South African government has rolled out several initiatives aimed at improving food safety standards nationwide. These initiatives include stricter regulations for food vendors, enhanced monitoring of food production and distribution channels, and increased public awareness campaigns about the risks associated with foodborne illnesses.
The Department of Health, in particular, has been working closely with local governments and community organizations to improve food safety practices at the grassroots level. This includes training programs for food handlers, regular inspections of food establishments, and the promotion of safe food storage and preparation methods.
Additionally, the government has been pushing for better infrastructure in low-income areas, such as the provision of clean water and sanitation facilities, to reduce the risk of contamination and prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses.
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