The Eastern Cape department of health is investigating after over 100 pupils were rushed to the hospital when they started experiencing abdominal pains, nausea and vomiting.
In its investigation, the department will seek to come up with an explanation for the pupils’ sudden ill-health.
Malibongwe Mtima, spokesperson for the provincial department of education, said: “We are aware of the report, however, this is in the hands of the department of health.”
Dr Sizwe Kupelo, spokesperson for the health department, said Frontier Hospital received 51 patients on Thursday for treatment for stomach aches, nausea and vomiting.
Clinical investigations
He said a 14-year-old girl also arrived at the hospital after 6pm in a critical condition and had to be taken to the intensive care unit until her condition had stabilised.
“Today [Friday] another 55 learners had to be rushed to the same Frontier Hospital presenting with the same symptoms.
“We are currently conducting a clinical investigations on the 55 patients that have just been received by the casualty.
“The health and environmental officers and health district are also conducting investigations into the incident. There will be meetings between the various stakeholders to discuss the issue later today.”
On Thursday, the EMS crews transported 34 pupils aged between eight and 15 who also presented with abdominal pains, nausea and vomiting.
The pupils were from Mlungisi, a local school.
Food-borne disease
In a separate incident, other pupils from another school around Komani suffered from an alleged food-borne disease.
“This as tests are yet to confirm the cause of the sickness,” The department of health said.
In all, 120 pupils presented with signs of itchiness, some had shortness of breath while others presented with high temperatures.
On Monday, 89 pupils from various schools in Boipatong in the Vaal were rushed to the hospital due to a suspected case of mass food poisoning.
According to an official statement and anonymous sources, the learners fell ill after consuming snacks allegedly looted from a local spaza shop.
In September, 90 children at a school north of Pretoria were taken to the hospital after consuming muffins thought to have been laced with cannabis.
According to the department of education in Gauteng, the learners at Pulamadibogo Primary School were rushed to local hospitals after experiencing nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting.
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