A cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal in Gauteng has claimed several lives and resulted in more than a hundred people being hospitalised at the Jubilee District Hospital. Although test results for cholera in the water came back negative, the Tshwane municipality warned people not to assume tap water is safe.

The Gauteng health department confirmed 17 deaths and 165 hospitalisations thus far.

“The number of laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera is standing at 29 while 67 patients are admitted due to gastrointestinal infections” says departmental spokesperson Motalatale Modiba.

Modiba urged people to ensure proper hand-hygiene.

“The public must thoroughly wash their hands with water and soap or alcohol-based sanitiser before handling food and after using the toilet.”

He advised the public not to ignore symptoms and seek help immediately.

“We call on the public to report to their nearest health facilities when they present with diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.

Despite water tests returning negative, the Tshwane municipality still encouraged people to refrain from drinking tap water.

“The public is advised to avoid consuming known or suspected contaminated food and water. The tests might have come back negative but that does not mean the water from taps is safe to drink,” says Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink.

SAnews.gov.za reports that the City of Tshwane says it will increase provision of water tankers from three to five days a week in affected areas until May 31.