Latest on suspected FS food poisoning incidents

By Staff Reporter

QWAQWA — The Free State Department of Health says it is actively addressing a surge in suspected food poisoning cases across various regions, predominantly affecting primary school learners.

Health facilities across the province have been treating affected individuals since Wednesday, 6 November 2024, according to Head of Communications for the Free State Department of Health, Mondli Mvambi.

“We are growing increasingly concerned over these incidents and urge the public to be vigilant about where they buy food, ensuring it is properly packaged and stored to avoid health risks,” Mvambi said.

To date, 45 learners from Daluvuyo Primary School in Welkom received treatment and were discharged, with one 10-year old boy still hospitalized at Bongani Regional Hospital due to complications worsened by contaminated snacks Fort-seven learners from Ihobe Primary School in Bloemfontein were treated at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital on November 7, with two (a 10-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy) still admitted.

In Bloemfontein, one student from Toka Primary School was treated and discharged on the same day, while 15 learners from Mooifontein School in Zastron were also treated, with a 16-year-old girl remaining under observation at Embekweni District Hospital.

Health teams responded swiftly to two new incidents on 8 November, treating 13 learners at Rearabetswe Clinic in Meloding, Virginia, and six at Mamahabane Clinic in Ventersburg. The Free State Provincial Government has expressed growing concern over the frequency of these incidents, suggesting the possibility of a coordinated pattern.

PHOTO: A learner receiving medical attention on 7 November at Pelenomi Tertiary Hospital (source: Bloemfontein Courant)

In a related event, improper disposal of expired cold drinks in Qwaqwa has raised further health concerns. On 31 October near Mpatlalatsana Bridge, cases of expired drinks were left unattended, prompting local residents to mistakenly believe they were free goods from a truck spill. The Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality (TMDM) Municipal Health Services Unit has launched an investigation after a video of the incident surfaced online. TMDM’s Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) are actively identifying those responsible for the improper disposal and are reminding the public of the risks associated with consuming expired products.

TMDM’s communication manager, Mamogolo Moshugi, emphasized that expired goods must be disposed of following strict municipal guidelines, monitored by EHPs to ensure proper landfill disposal, with disposal certificates issued as proof.

The TMDM has developed a Food Safety Blitz Operational Plan, which, alongside district health efforts, seeks to educate communities on the dangers of consuming expired products.