The Gauteng Department of Health has confirmed that two children have died after allegedly consuming sweets and chips allegedly bought from a vendor at West Deep in Westonaria.
According to the Department, five boys were rushed to the Bekkersdal West Community Health Centre and two of them aged between two and three-years-old were declared dead on arrival.
The other two have since been transferred to the Leratong Hospital for medical observation.
The incident comes days after two other children in Naledi, Soweto, Neo Khang and Katlego Mbatha, both six-years-old, died after allegedly ate biscuits and juice bought from a spaza shop.
This brings the number of children who have passed away from food poisoning in the Province to five.
“Outbreak response teams in both Johannesburg and West Rand Districts continue to be on ground in Naledi and West Deep and surrounding areas engaging locals. This awareness is focusing on food handling, preparation, storage and food safety, the importance of checking food expiry labels and hand washing before handling food,” according to a statement from the Department.
The statement added that the Department will reach out to vendors and spaza shops to check compliance in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act and food labelling regulations.
The Department has urged residents to present themselves to the nearest health facilities when they experience symptoms that include vomiting, fever, foam in the mouth and sudden chest pains.
