43 Students Hospitalized Over Alleged Food Poisoning

It was a tragic moment for both parents ans the school management when 43 pupils of a primary school in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, were hospitalized for suspected food poisoning.

According to local education authorities of the provincial education department, the learners from Ngaqa Primary School in Mtubatuba fell ill after consuming snacks purchased from street vendors outside the school.

Muzi Mhlambi, spokesperson for the Department of Education in Kwazulu-Natal Province, said “The students were rushed to a local clinic and were released upon medical treatment.

____“Some tests were taken to the laboratory.”

He added that the department is collaborating with the police and the Department of Health to investigate the cause of the accident.

_____South Africa has recently experienced a surge in food poisoning cases among children.

On Oct. 6, six children died from suspected food poisoning in Johannesburg, and over 130 students from Gauteng, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces were hospitalised for similar reasons earlier this month.

___South Africa’s National Department of Health deployed an 80-member investigation team, including environmental and health inspectors, to investigate these accidents and inspect food sold in local tuck shops.

_____The investigation commenced on Monday, and the exact cause of the suspected food poisoning cases remains under investigation.(NAN)