43 Primary School Students Hospitalised Over Suspected Food Poisoning In South Africa

In a troubling incident, 43 students from Ngaqa Primary School in Mtubatuba, located in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province, have been hospitalised for suspected food poisoning. The affected students reportedly fell ill after consuming snacks bought from street vendors outside the school premises, according to local authorities.

The provincial education department confirmed the incident, stating that the students were quickly taken to a local clinic where they received medical treatment and were subsequently discharged. Muzi Mhlambi, spokesperson for the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal, noted that laboratory tests have been conducted as part of the investigation into the cause of the incident.

"The department is working closely with the police and the Department of Health to determine the source of the suspected food poisoning," Mhlambi said.

This incident follows a recent surge in food poisoning cases affecting children across South Africa. Earlier in October, six children in Johannesburg lost their lives due to suspected food poisoning, while more than 130 students from the Gauteng, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces were also hospitalised for similar reasons.

In response to the rising number of cases, the National Department of Health has deployed an 80-member investigation team, comprising environmental and health inspectors, to inspect food sold at local tuck shops and other vendors. The investigation, which began on Monday, aims to establish the exact cause of the recent food poisoning outbreaks.