Baptisms and cholera: Health dept calls on churches not to put their members at risk

The Gauteng department of health has called on faith-based organisations to not put their members at risk of cholera when conducting their baptisms.

While the Easter period is full of many religious activities including the rite of baptism that many Christians undergo during this time, the department has called on churches to rather conduct their baptisms in safer environments.

Cholera cases in Gauteng

Last week, the department confirmed four new cases of Cholera after baptisms that took place in the Jukskei and Klip rivers.

This brought the total number of cholera cases in Gauteng to 11, with one death confirmed.

“Cholera thrives in unhygienic conditions including untreated water especially from rivers and dams. The recent confirmed four cases from the province involves people who had taken part in separate baptism activities at local rivers.

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“Although the laboratory results of the samples taken from the rivers concerned came back negative of the Cholera strain, the risk of contracting this disease is still high for people who conduct their religious ceremonies in rivers and dams,” said Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, in a statement.

Nkomo-Ralehoko further advised people who will be travelling into Cholera endemic regions to take precautionary measures.

Causes

Cholera is an acute enteric infection caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, and the outbreaks usually occur in settings with inadequate sanitation and insufficient access to safe drinking water.

Cholera typically causes acute watery diarrhoea and can affect people of all ages. It mainly spreads through contaminated/polluted water. People can become infected directly through drinking contaminated water, or indirectly through eating contaminated food.

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The infection is often mild or without symptoms but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening.

Symptoms

Symptoms range from mild to severe and watery diarrhoea and dehydration.

The incubation period (the period from when the person ingests choleracontaminated water/food to when they first become ill) ranges from few hours to 5 days, usually 2 to 3 days. Most persons infected with cholera will experience mild illness or not feel ill.

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“Although cholera is often predictable and preventable. People are urged to ensure proper hand hygiene which includes thorough washing of hands with water and soap before and after using the bathroom/toilet and preparing or eating food.

“The use of only safe or disinfected water for preparing food, beverages and ice is recommended to prevent possible cholera transmission include. Safe disposal of human excrement and nappies is recommended.”

The department has urged the public to visit their nearest health facilities if they experience these symptoms.

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