Outbreak of unknown illness kills two, affects 307
Since Monday, there have been 307 cases of an unknown illness reported which now has claimed the lives of two people in the Takwane South and KaNyamazane area.
MBOMBELA – The Department of Health issued a statement that they were investigating the death of two people on Saturday and they suspect that it was caused by a diarrhea outbreak in Ehlanzeni District.
Dumisani Malamule, the spokesperson of the department, said preliminary results from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) showed that there was a presence of Shigela species (faecal matter) which means there was contamination of water.
Mbombela municipal manager Neil Diamond reported that laboratory results of water samples by independent stakeholders had ruled out water from the reticulation network, as the source or cause of the current “diarrhea outbreak.”
The health department has seen an increase of diarrhea cases since July 20.
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The infection have since spread to other areas of City of Mbombela Local Municipality, like KaMagugu and Pienaar.
Initially the affected areas were predominantly Tekwane South and Entokozweni near KaNyamzane.
Malamule said 10 people were admitted to Rob Ferreira Hospital.
“Health promotion practitioners are in the field conducting health education on water. We advise the public with diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting to report to local clinics immediately.”
Diamond added that Sembcorp Silulumanzi had taken precautionary measures. “All samples thus far tested by independent parties complied to the national standard for drinking water.” Their water sampling and testing regime had increased since July 20.
“We remain vigilant and unwavering in our duty to ensure safe drinking water supply to our communities. This is not a responsibility we take lightly.”
He concluded that a precautionary measure to satisfy the peace of mind of consumers, it was advisable to boil drinking water before consumption if or when suspicious, skeptical or doubtful.
