Two children have died and five others are receiving medical treatment following a suspected food poisoning incident in Msintsi Location near Berlin.

Eastern Cape Health MEC  Ntandokazi Capa confirmed the distressing news, revealing that the children, aged between four and seven, were admitted to Cecilia Makiwane Hospital after falling severely ill on Saturday afternoon.

The children began showing symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhoea, and dizziness. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts by medical teams, two of the children were declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. In a briefing Capa said, describing the critical condition of the children when they arrived at the facility. “They were showing symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting and dizziness. When most of those children arrived, they were in a very, very critical condition,” she stated.

Among the seven affected children, six are from Msintsi Location, while the seventh is from NU3 Mdantsane. One child has since required intubation and was swiftly transferred to Frere Hospital for advanced critical care. The remaining four children are currently stable and under observation at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital.

Preliminary investigations suggest the children had consumed snacks together shortly before becoming ill. Capa clarified that while they have information from families regarding the Msintsi children, the circumstances surrounding the illness of the child from Mdantsane are still being assessed. “The families are stating that the children were eating snacks before this tragedy happened,” she said.

Authorities have mobilised law enforcement and environmental health officials to investigate the tragic event further. “Outside of that, police have been alerted, and our environmental unit has also been sent to go and investigate the information surrounding this particular event,” Capa explained. The area has been cordoned off to prevent panic as residents await more information.

The Health MEC reassured the community, calling for calm during this distressing time. “We want to ensure that the families who are around those areas are also not going to panic. Right now, that particular zone has been cordoned,” she stated. Ongoing investigations aim to pinpoint the source of the suspected contamination, particularly regarding the snacks consumed by the children.

The Department of Health has activated emergency protocols, and the District Environmental Health Unit is actively involved in determining the cause of the illness. Meanwhile, the department has extended condolences to the grieving families and is providing clinical and psychosocial support to those affected.

amahle.luke@africannewsagency.com

Saturday Star

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