By Johannah Malogadihlare
An outbreak response team is conducting an awareness blitz in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni following another four children dying from suspected food poisoning.
Since February, the Gauteng health department has recorded 207 food poisoning cases involving children across the province. Ten of them died.
The teams comprise officials from the health department, municipal environmental health practitioners, local leaders and non-governmental organisations.
The awareness campaign is being conducted in various areas including taxi ranks, informal settlements, malls and hostels. It will last until 13 September.
“This is part of continuing efforts to reduce the risk of food poisoning and fatalities by promoting safe food handling behaviour, promoting the keeping of clean environments, and warning the public about the long-term impact of illegal dumping, including tackling compliance issues by shop owners selling perishable and non-perishable food items,” the health department said in a statement.
Last week Thursday, two siblings aged 4 and 6, died at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Tshwane. On the same day, three children from Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni were rushed to Jabulani Dumane Community Health Centre after 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.
On Monday, the department said that small businesses selling food would be encouraged to apply for compliance certificates and ensure that they have proper zoning certificates.
Non-compliant vendors identified during the inspections would be issued with fines and prohibition notices. And some may be shut down by local authorities.
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