43 South African Students Hospitalised for Suspected Food Poisoning

A total of 43 students from Ngaqa Primary School in Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, were rushed to a local hospital following a suspected case of food poisoning, according to local education authorities. The learners reportedly fell ill after consuming snacks purchased from street vendors near the school premises.

Muzi Mhlambi, spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, confirmed that the affected students received medical treatment and were released from the clinic. Samples have been sent to the laboratory for further testing to determine the cause of the illness.

The incident is part of a concerning rise in food poisoning cases among children in South Africa. Earlier this month, over 130 students from various provinces, including Gauteng, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal, were hospitalised for similar reasons. Tragically, on October 6, six children died from suspected food poisoning in Johannesburg.

In response, South Africa’s National Department of Health deployed an 80-member investigative team, which includes environmental and health inspectors, to inspect food sold in local tuck shops and investigate the cause of these outbreaks. The investigations, which began on Monday, are ongoing, and authorities are working with the police and health departments to ensure the safety of schoolchildren.

The exact cause of the food poisoning remains under investigation.