JOHANNESBURG, April 16 -- A total of 48 children and two adults have received medical attention since Monday following two separate food poisoning incidents in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Department of Health in Gauteng Province reported on Tuesday.

According to the department, 41 children between the ages of three and five reportedly ingested rat poison, mistaking it for candy, at a preschool on Monday. They were promptly treated at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg.

"Upon medical examination of the 41 children, a total of 17 were admitted Monday afternoon to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital for overnight observation, while the remaining 24 were discharged home in satisfactory condition," the department said.

In a separate incident, 10 individuals, including two adults and eight children, were referred to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Johannesburg on Monday night due to food poisoning.

"These two incidents bring the total number of food-borne incidents recorded to 863, which have tragically claimed 11 lives since the first incident in October 2023," the department added.

The department urged parents and caregivers to protect children from food poisoning risks and advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, cramping, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea to seek immediate medical attention.

  - Xinhua