South Africa Health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana reported that the affected learners complained of abdominal pains and were subsequently hospitalized for treatment.

Over 50 learners from two schools in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, have fallen ill as authorities work to address a series of food poisoning incidents affecting children in the country.

Health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana stated that the affected learners were hospitalized after reporting abdominal pains and vomiting.

“At this stage, we can confirm that 11 additional learners have been added to the initial 39 cases, bringing the total to 50. The medical team reports that all the learners are stable and are being attended to by 13 doctors and other medical staff at the hospital in the greater Giyani area,” Shikwambana said.

Gerald Sambo, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Department of Education, also confirmed the incident, suggesting that the food poisoning might have been caused by contaminated food consumed at school.

“We received a report from Lundanda Primary School that some learners began experiencing itchiness on their bodies. It was discovered that they had purchased chocolates from a local spaza shop. The school investigated by visiting the shop, which confirmed that it sells the implicated product,” Sambo explained.

This incident follows a tragic case in October, where six children in South Africa died after consuming a chemical compound used in pesticides, according to the country’s health minister. The case has intensified calls for stricter food safety regulations across the nation.