Foodborne Disease Outbreak Following a Funeral in Goxe Village, Matatiele, Alfred Nzo District, Eastern Cape Province December 2025
1
NHLS, National Institute of Communiable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
2
South African Field Epidemiology Training Program, Johannesburg, South Africa
3
Department of Health Eastern Cape Province, Epidemiology and Research Unit, Bisho, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
A foodborne outbreak is the occurrence of two or more cases of similar illness linked to the ingestion of the same contaminated food or beverage. On 23 December 2025, Alfred Nzo Department of Health was notified of a cluster of acute gastrointestinal illness among individuals who attended a funeral held at Goxe Village,20 December 2025. An outbreak investigation was conducted to confirm the outbreak
METHODS:
A cross-sectional outbreak investigation was conducted. Cases were defined as any person who attended the funeral and developed acute gastrointestinal symptoms from 20 December 2025.Data on clinical presentation, food consumption history, and symptom onset were collected using a standardized questionnaire.Environmental assessments of food preparation and serving practices were conducted, and food handler information was reviewed with stool sample collected. Descriptive epidemiology was performed by person, place, and time, an epidemic curve was constructed. Food specific attack rates were calculated, analysis stratified by sex.
RESULTS:
A total of 63 cases were identified among an estimated 200 funeral attendees, yielding an overall attack rate of 31.5%. Median age of cases 46 years (IQR:31 – 63) and 73% (46/63) were female. Frequently reported symptoms were diarrhoea (100%), abdominal cramps (98.4%) and vomiting (96.8%). Epidemic curve demonstrated a point source outbreak consistent with a common food exposure. Environmental assessment identified food safety lapses, including inadequate temperature control and poor food handling practices. Laboratory results are pending for stool specimen taken. Female cases had higher odds of reporting beef consumption compared to males (OR = 1.40.95% CI: 0.45–4.31.Fisher’s exact p = 0.55)
CONCLUSIONS:
Outbreak was consistent with a foodborne illness associated with a gathering and likely linked to unsafe food handling. Beef curry was the most likely vehicle of infection. Strengthening food safety compliance, during mass gatherings, and improving monitoring of catering services are critical to preventing similar outbreaks
A foodborne outbreak is the occurrence of two or more cases of similar illness linked to the ingestion of the same contaminated food or beverage. On 23 December 2025, Alfred Nzo Department of Health was notified of a cluster of acute gastrointestinal illness among individuals who attended a funeral held at Goxe Village,20 December 2025. An outbreak investigation was conducted to confirm the outbreak
METHODS:
A cross-sectional outbreak investigation was conducted. Cases were defined as any person who attended the funeral and developed acute gastrointestinal symptoms from 20 December 2025.Data on clinical presentation, food consumption history, and symptom onset were collected using a standardized questionnaire.Environmental assessments of food preparation and serving practices were conducted, and food handler information was reviewed with stool sample collected. Descriptive epidemiology was performed by person, place, and time, an epidemic curve was constructed. Food specific attack rates were calculated, analysis stratified by sex.
RESULTS:
A total of 63 cases were identified among an estimated 200 funeral attendees, yielding an overall attack rate of 31.5%. Median age of cases 46 years (IQR:31 – 63) and 73% (46/63) were female. Frequently reported symptoms were diarrhoea (100%), abdominal cramps (98.4%) and vomiting (96.8%). Epidemic curve demonstrated a point source outbreak consistent with a common food exposure. Environmental assessment identified food safety lapses, including inadequate temperature control and poor food handling practices. Laboratory results are pending for stool specimen taken. Female cases had higher odds of reporting beef consumption compared to males (OR = 1.40.95% CI: 0.45–4.31.Fisher’s exact p = 0.55)
CONCLUSIONS:
Outbreak was consistent with a foodborne illness associated with a gathering and likely linked to unsafe food handling. Beef curry was the most likely vehicle of infection. Strengthening food safety compliance, during mass gatherings, and improving monitoring of catering services are critical to preventing similar outbreaks
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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