THE Free State province has been gripped by a series of suspected food poisoning incidents this week, leaving more than 125 schoolchildren hospitalised across various towns.
The first major incident occurred at Daluvuyo Primary School in Welkom, where 45 learners were treated for suspected food poisoning.
While most of them were discharged, a 10-year-old boy remained hospitalised at Bongani Regional Hospital due to other health complications exacerbated by ingesting the suspected contaminated snack.
A day later, on Thursday, Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital in Bloemfontein treated 47 learners from Ihobe Primary School.
While most were discharged, a 10-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy were still receiving care at the time of going to print.
In another case that day, a learner from Toka Primary School in Bloemfontein was also treated and discharged.
The crisis extended to Zastron, where 15 learners from Mooifontein School received medical attention.
One 16-year-old girl remained admitted at Embekweni District Hospital.
On Friday, the provincial health department responded swiftly to two separate outbreaks: 13 learners in Meloding, Virginia, were treated at Rearabetswe Clinic, while six learners in Ventersburg were seen at Mamahabane Clinic.
Mondli Mvambi, head of communications for the Free State Department of Health, expressed concern over the rising number of such incidents, hinting at the possibility of an orchestrated plan.
Mvambi urged citizens to exercise caution when purchasing food, avoid expired products and report unsafe food handling to law enforcement agencies.
The incidents came just after Free State Education MEC Mantlhake Maboya issued a stern warning to food vendors operating near schools, emphasising the need to comply with health regulations.
Recalling previous cases, including the tragic 2020 death of a Grade Three learner from contaminated chocolate and other recent food poisoning outbreaks, Maboya stressed the urgent need for improved food safety standards.
Maboya called on parents, schools and vendors to collaborate in protecting learners, urging stricter regulations on food sales near schools, regular inspections and educational initiatives to promote healthy eating choices. – Staff Reporter