The City of Ekurhuleni urged residents to take extra precautionary measures and maintain proper hand hygiene as the country experiences an outbreak of diarrhoeal disease and a rising number of confirmed cholera cases.
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The warning was sparked by the outbreak in neighbouring Hammanskraal, which has claimed 12 lives and seen 50 people receive medical care at Jubilee Hospital.
No cases have been reported in the CoE.
“The City of Ekurhuleni’s outbreak response teams are on high alert to respond to any cholera case detected and to intensify health education and promotion to empower communities,” said the CoE spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini.
“It is also important for people to note that our water remains clean and safe to use.”
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.
Individuals generally become ill 12 to 48 hours after exposure.
Some common symptoms include diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting and low-grade fever.
The National Department of Health also 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, in Free State Province.
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Community members are 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. Doing so will prevent possible infection.
Never drink water from unsafe sources, such as rivers, dams, or streams, unless first boiled or disinfected.
The National Department of Health will keep the country informed as far as the recent cholera outbreak is concerned.
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