Cholera outbreak prompts urgent health warnings in South Africa

The Department of Health has urged South Africans to remain vigilant and avoid known or suspected contaminated food, water and surfaces following the Cholera outbreak.

“Never drink water from unsafe sources such as rivers, dams, or streams, unless boiled or disinfected first,” the department said.

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Citizens are urged to visit their nearest health facilities if they experience any slight symptoms of diarrhoea which is a sign of the disease.

The Department also encouraged South Africans to wash their hands thoroughly with soap before handling and preparing food or after using the bathroom to prevent possible infection.

The community of Hammanskraal in Gauteng was one of the first areas to report cases of Cholera among community members. There have been other confirmed cases in the North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Free State.

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) said Cholera mainly spreads through contaminated water.

People can become infected directly through drinking contaminated water, or indirectly through eating contaminated food.

Symptoms of Cholera include diarrhoea dehydration, vomiting and body weakness.

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The NICD encouraged people who experience cholera-like symptoms to visit their nearest health facility for screening and testing to ensure early detection and successful treatment, if test positive.

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Presidential visit in Hammanskraal

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently visited the community of Hammanskraal to provide government interventions following the Cholera outbreak.

The President started the visit to Hammanskraal with a stopover at the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment plant, which was followed by a community meeting at Temba Stadium where he interacted with the community on the measures the government is implementing.

He said that as part of the government’s short-term plan, the Rooiwal Wastewater Works and Temba Water treatment will be expanded and maintained at a cost of R4 billion. The completion of the work is expected to take three years.

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President Ramaphosa said while the maintenance and expansion of Rooiwal Wastewater and Temba Water Plants is underway, the City of Tshwane will continue to provide tankered water.

He also announced that the government has invited Magalies Water to assist in managing the water supply in Hammanskraal.

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“They [Magalies Water] would be able to complete the work in the next six months. You will carry on using tankering water supplying clean water, but it won’t go on for a long period,” President Ramaphosa explained to residents.

He reiterated the warning against using unboiled water for consumption, as it is currently not of good quality.