Ekurhuleni residents urged to be cautious after 20 cholera deaths in neighbouring metro

The City of Ekurhuleni is concerned about the rise in cholera cases in the neighbouring metro, the City of Tshwane, where the outbreak has claimed 20 lives, while over 50 people are reportedly receiving medical care at Jubilee Hospital in Hammanskraal.

With the country’s rising number of diarrhoeal cases, the Ekurhuleni metro urged its residents to practice good hand hygiene to minimise the spread of the infectious disease.

While Ekurhuleni had, about three months ago, recorded three cholera cases when two of the patients died from the disease, no new cases were reported in the city.

“The City of Ekurhuleni’s outbreak response teams are on high alert to respond to any detected cholera case, and efforts are being made to intensify health education and promotion to empower communities,” said the municipal spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini.

The city assured residents that the water it distributes is clean and cholera-free.

Dlamini explained that diarrhoeal disease is a common and often highly infectious condition that affects the stomach and intestines. It is a leading global cause of child mortality and morbidity and usually spreads through contact with an infected person or contaminated food and drinking water sources. Individuals generally become ill 12 to 48 hours after exposure.

He said common symptoms include diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting and low-grade fever.

The Department of Health confirmed that the cumulative number of positive cholera cases had increased to 22 after detecting four more in Gauteng, and seven in Vredefort and Parys areas, Free State Province.

The public is urged to avoid known or suspected contaminated food, water and surfaces, and wash their hands thoroughly with soap before handling food or after using the bathroom to prevent possible infection. Never drink water from unsafe sources, such as rivers, dams, or streams, unless first boiled or disinfected.

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