{"id":48987,"date":"2022-08-05T10:40:20","date_gmt":"2022-08-05T08:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/hundreds-of-mpeko-primary-school-learners-rushed-to-hospital-after-consuming-ginger-beer-20220804\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T23:04:19","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T21:04:19","slug":"hundreds-of-mpeko-primary-school-learners-rushed-to-hospital-after-consuming-ginger-beer-20220804","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/hundreds-of-mpeko-primary-school-learners-rushed-to-hospital-after-consuming-ginger-beer-20220804\/","title":{"rendered":"Hundreds of learners rushed to hospital after consuming ginger beer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Department of Health spokesperson Yonela Dekeda, has confirmed that 85 learners from Mpeko Primary School in Mthatha were rushed to Mpeko clinic following them complaining of severe headaches, dizziness, respiratory distress, and general body weakness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dekeda said according to reports received by health officials this was due to the consumption of ginger beer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis was in a powder form but when prepared, it is mixed with water. All of them were assessed and referred to the Mthatha General Hospital (MGH) and Nelson Mandela Academic Central Hospital (NMACH) after given stat doses of appropriate medication,\u201d said Dekeda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICYMI | Ginger powder consumptions lands 55 local learners in hospital<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dekeda added that from the 85 learners, 51 were taken to MGH, with 50 being treated and discharged in stable condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThirty four learners were taken to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and were observed over night and all discharged yesterday morning. Both hospitals took samples for analysis to determine if there was any food poisoning and according to the doctors who attended to the learners there were no signs of food poisoning.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dekeda added that yesterday another 28 learners were also admitted to Mpeko clinic presenting with the same symptoms and have all been transferred to NMAH, \u201cThey were still being assessed and stabilised.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday, August 2, Department of Education spokesperson, Mali Mtima confirmed that 55 learners from Mpeko Primary School in Mthatha were rushed to a local clinic following the consumption of a ginger powder that was sold to them by a fellow learner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Mtima, the learners were then transferred to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, with 52 of the 55 being discharged on the day and the remaining three admitted overnight for observation were admitted just for overnight observation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAmongst the three learners who were admitted overnight, the learner who showed the most severe reaction to the powder was said to have consumed it on an empty stomach,\u201d said Mtima.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that according to reports from the school, the learner who sold the powder also consumed it with no adverse reaction to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is time for schools to take measures that will see to the inspection of food stuff sold to learners, which is a responsibility that lies with the School Governing Body (SGB),\u201d said Mtima. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Department of Health spokesperson Yonela Dekeda, has confirmed that 85 learners from Mpeko Primary School in Mthatha were taken to Mpeko clinic following them complaining of severe headaches, dizziness, respiratory distress, and general body 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