Two children dead, five hospitalised in Eastern Cape suspected food poisoning

Tragedy struck in the Eastern Cape on Saturday when two young children died and five more were hospitalised after eating snacks that may have been contaminated. The Eastern Cape Department of Health has confirmed that two children have died and five others have been admitted to hospital following suspected food poisoning. The six children from Msintsi Location near Berlin and one child from NU3 Mdantsane, were admitted to Cecilia Makiwane Hospital on Saturday with suspected food poisoning.

The children, aged between four and seven years, presented with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, and dizziness. “Sadly, two children were declared deceased on arrival despite resuscitation efforts by clinical teams,” the department said. “One child has been intubated and transferred to Frere Hospital for advanced critical care, while the remaining four are reported to be stable and continue to receive treatment and observation,” it said. The department said preliminary information from families indicates that six of the children from Msintsi had been playing together and consumed snacks prior to becoming ill.