The Department of Health in KwaZulu Natal has called for calm after nearly a dozen people were hospitalised in Umhlanga with what appeared to be a Salmonella outbreak.
The MEC for Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said the bacteria was isolated to the one restaurant in Umhlanga where all the victims ate.
Initially, it was rumoured that people got sick when they ate a sauce prepared with eggs, but the South African Poultry Association did the necessary tests and cleared their egg suppliers of any wrongdoing.
MEC Dlomo instead said that food was not properly prepared and urged staff and food handlers to be cautious and practice the highest standard of hygiene where possible.
Last week, The Mercury reported that at least 20 people were hospitalised with suspected salmonella poisoning after eating at uMhlanga’s Old Town Italy restaurant.
Dhlomo said they are still waiting for tests to confirm that the food poisoning was indeed caused by Salmonella.
Salmonella is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract and is found in humans and animals. Humans become infected mostly from coming into contact with infected water or food.
