Organophosphate poisoning suspected in EC children’s deaths

[FILE IMAGE] School children having lunch.

Eastern Cape medical teams say they suspect that organophosphate poisoning may be the cause of the deaths of two children who died after consuming snacks bought at a spaza shop at Msintsi Location.

Organophosphate poisoning occurs when the body reacts to chemical compounds found in certain agricultural products.

The deceased were among seven children aged between four and seven who presented symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and dizziness.

Five are still receiving medical care in hospital.

Health MEC, Ntandokazi Capa, says they are waiting for post-mortem results to confirm the cause of death.

“From the report that I got from the medical team is that we are suspecting organophosphate, but it’s not yet confirmed. It’s just a suspicion, but we have said our specialist must do a post-mortem on those who passed on. But we can say the one who was admitted into ICU is out of danger. We spoke to him. We asked, ‘what did you eat?’ And he said he ate chips. We are now waiting on the municipality to activate the team tomorrow to go to that area where the incident happened,” says Capa.