The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is aware of the email circulating claiming that bananas from KwaZulu-Natal can infect people with a flesh eating bacteria. The e-mail advises recipients not to buy or eat bananas and to seek medical attention if they develop a fever after eating bananas.
The information received from the Department of Health reports that the email is a hoax, and any claims regarding poor food safety will be investigated. The department said in its report that at this stage they don’t see any need to do so as they deem this claim to be a hoax.
The message also advises readers to burn their skin around the infection to prevent it from spreading. The department strongly advises against burning of the skin. Deliberately burning your skin could lead to serious injury and permanent damage.
Enquiries:
Steve Galane
Acting Chief Director: Stakeholder Relations and Communications
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: 012 319 7960
Fax: 012 319 6943
Cell: 083 635 7346
E-mail: DAIS@daff.gov.za / stevegalane@mtn.blackberry.com
Banana scare email is a hoax
