Gauteng Health confirms Cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal

A number of people who had the same symptoms were admitted at Jubilee Hospital in Hammanskraal. A Cholera outbreak has been confirmed.

The Gauteng Department of Health has confirmed that the diarrhoeal outbreak in Hammanskraal is Cholera.

According to the department, lab results of stool specimens of 19 people who presented at Jubilee District Hospital with symptoms of diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea confirmed that it is Cholera.

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CHOLERA OUTBREAK CONFIRMED IN HAMMANSKRAAL

As previously reported, the department said since Monday, 15 May 2023 to date, 95 people from Kanana, Suurman, Majaneng, Green Field, Carousel View, Lephengville and Sekampaneng have been seen at the hospital with similar symptoms.

Currently, there are 37 people admitted at the hospital with Cholera symptoms and unfortunately, ten people have died. The 10 people that died include a 3-year-old and 9 adults.

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Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko together with the City of Tshwane MMC for Health, Rina Marx visited Jubilee Hospital to be updated on the situation and immediately intervene in terms of increasing response capacity at Jubilee Hospital.

Two additional wards have been made available to accommodate patients who could not be immediately admitted on arrival at the hospital.

Nkomo-Ralehoko said they have also mobilised additional resources which include medical and nursing staff from surrounding hospitals and local clinics to improve capacity for the growing need for medical care.

The MEC has also urged the public to take extra precautionary measures and maintain proper hand-hygiene.

“We would like to reiterate and urge the public to avoid known or suspected contaminated food, water and surfaces and wash hands thoroughly with soap before handling food or after using the bathroom to prevent possible infection. It is also important that people never drink water from unsafe sources such as rivers, dams, streams, unless boiled or disinfected,” she said.

RESIDENTS URGED NOT TO DRINK TAP WATER

On Sunday, 21 May, the City of Tshwane urged residents from Hammanskraal and surrounding areas not to use tap water for drinking purposes following the health outbreak.

“The Outbreak Response Teams are on the ground conducting surveillance monitoring and sampling the water. Communities are urged to present themselves to the nearest health facility immediately when they experience symptoms. Health facilities are on high alert to urgently attend to the patients with symptoms,” Bokaba said.

Residents in the affected areas have been urged to regularly wash the containers they use to draw the water from the tankers with Jik detergent, and to boil water drawn from other sources before drinking it.

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