Mass school food poisoning
At least 156 pupils from Gobisizwe Agricultural School in Mthatha have been rushed to hospitals and a local clinic — one by helicopter — after a suspected mass food poisoning incident that left one child vomiting blood and others seriously ill.
By 8pm on Wednesday August 13, 120 pupils had been evacuated from the school in Ncise, Mthatha. By 11am on Thursday, a further 36 children had been taken by ambulance to Mthatha Regional Hospital for treatment. A child who was vomiting blood and urgently needed to be on a drip was taken to hospital by helicopter. According to the emergency report, seven ambulances, three patient transport vehicles, three rescue vehicles and a helicopter were used in the operation. Children were treated for abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea, while some complained of dizziness and some had seizures. Thirty children were diagnosed with complications. No deaths were reported. Authorities said they were still receiving calls as some children had only fallen ill after returning home.