4 days ago
128 pupils discharged from hospital after food poisoning scare at Eastern Cape school
Gobizizwe Agricultural School pupils were hospitalised in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape for suspected food poisoning on Wednesday.
They presented symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, seizures, and abdominal pains after having rice and tinned fish for lunch.
Most of them have since been discharged, according to the Eastern Cape Department of Health.
Most of the 131 Gobizizwe Agricultural School pupils who were hospitalised in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape for suspected food poisoning on Wednesday afternoon have been discharged.
Emergency medical services (EMS) officials were called when the pupils fell ill shortly after receiving a meal from the school nutrition programme.
According to Eastern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Siyanda Manana, the pupils had rice and tinned fish for lunch.
He said they presented symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, seizures, and abdominal pains.
Seven ambulances, three patient transport vehicles, three EMS rescue vehicles and a helicopter were dispatched, Manana added.
READ | 214 children hospitalised after suspected food poisoning at Free State school's matric study camp
'The EMS brigade was partnered by the SAPS, OR Tambo Disaster Management, OR Tambo environmental health practitioners and Department of Education officials.'
The pupils were treated at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha General Hospital and Ngangelizwe Community Health Centre.
Initially, the department said the affected pupils were 70, but the number increased to 131 on Wednesday evening.
Providing an update on Thursday morning, Manana said 128 of the pupils have since been discharged.
'Currently, there is one student who is admitted at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital while the other two are being monitored at Mthatha Regional Hospital and are being rehydrated.'
