No cholera was found in samples taken from several sources around Temba and Hammanskraal in Pretoria, according to the City of Tshwane (CoT).

The health department reports that 15 people, of which two are children and 13 adults, have died.

“The City of Tshwane has received the results from sampling testing taken from multiple sites around Temba and Hammanskraal pertaining to tracing the cholera outbreak.”

It advised residents to practice good hygiene and handwashing, as well as to regularly wash the containers they use to draw water from the water tankers with Jik detergent, and to boil water drawn from other sources before drinking it.

Communities are urged not to conduct religious activities, including baptism, in rivers or streams.

Samples were taken from multiple reservoirs, fire hydrants, primary schools, clinics, and other locations that receive water from the Temba Water Treatment Plant.

Several points where water tankers draw their supply were also part of the testing.

“All of these tests have conclusively indicated that there are no microbiological contaminants that point to E. coli or faecal coliforms that can be linked to the cholera outbreak,” the city says in a statement.

Cholera is a bacterial disease that usually spreads through contaminated water. Symptoms include severe diarrhea and dehydration. If left untreated, it can be fatal in a matter of hours, even in previously healthy people.

Cholera Outbreak Gauteng
107 patients were seen at the hospital. 29 people have positively Confirmed for #Cholera. 15 people died (2 children and 13 adults)
46 Admitted at Jubilee District Hospital
18 of them were transferred Dr George Mukhari and Steve Biko Academic Hospitals

— National Department of Health (@HealthZA) May 22, 2023

City widens testing scope for cholera

With the source of the contamination as yet uncertain, the city has widened the scope of its testing.

Representatives have been interviewing patients to try and trace the source of the contamination.

“We will continue to keep the affected residents updated on further test results as and when they become available,” the statement read.

Tshwane urged residents who suspect they have symptoms to get to the nearest clinic or hospital as soon as possible.

“Do not wait until you feel worse.”

Food safety, water delivery campaigns intensified

In the meantime, the City says it will intensify food safety campaigns and increase delivery of potable water in tankers to five times a week, excluding Thursdays and Sundays, until the end of May.

Water supplied in Hammanskraal should not be used to drink or prepare food as it is not potable.

“CoT would like to reiterate its appeal to the communities in Hammanskraal and surrounding areas to refrain from using water from taps for drinking purposes.

“Outbreak Response Teams are on the ground conducting surveillance, monitoring, sampling, and field investigations.”

The City says that it is awaiting test results from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to determine the actual source of contamination.