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By Johannah Malogadihlare
Environmental health teams are working with Gauteng municipalities that are conducting inspections in various Gauteng communities following several cases of food poisoning.
Four children died in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni on Thursday from suspected foodborne illnesses.
Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said that the department was deeply concerned about the deaths.
Since February, the health department has recorded 207 food poisoning cases involving children across the province. Ten of them have died.
“We are working closely with multiple stakeholders and the Gauteng Department of Education to heighten awareness in townships, informal settlements and hostels (TISH)… and conduct health education sessions in schools targeting learners and school vendors,” she said.
Two siblings, aged 4 and 6, died in Tshwane. The four-year-old was declared dead on arrival at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, while the six-year-old was unresponsive and died later.
On the same day, three children from Vosloorus were rushed to Jabulani Dumane Community Health Centre. They were vomiting and feeling week.
Two of the children, aged 3 and 5, died on arrival, while a six-year-old remains in a critical condition after been taken to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in the area.
The children’s uncle, 28, was also admitted to hospital with food poisoning, but has since been discharged.
The environmental health teams are conducting inspections in communities. They are encouraging small businesses to apply for compliance certificates and ensure that they have proper zoning certificates.
“Non-compliant vendors identified during the inspections are issued with fines and prohibition notices. Some of them are closed by the local authorities.
“The [department] continues to call on municipalities to intensify their efforts in enforcing the by-laws to ensure that local shops comply with hygiene standards to avoid potential contamination of food items,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Meanwhile, the MEC has urged parents and guardians to monitor what their children eat.
She said that society needed to play an active role, including discouraging illegal dumping as it poses a threat to humans.
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