Cholera outbreak: Symptoms started after baptisms in Jukskei and Klip rivers

The Gauteng Health Department has confirmed that four new cases of Cholera arose after baptisms that took place in the Jukskei and Klip rivers.

This brings the total number of positive cases in the province to ten, including one death.

River water not safe for religious ceremonies

A Diepsloot-based couple was admitted to the Helen Joseph Hospital on Tuesday after complaining of acute watery diarrhea and severe dehydration.

The 49-year-old man and 38-year-old woman said they experienced health complications a few days after being baptised at the Jukskei River with six other people on 18 March 2023.

The 50-year-old Diepsloot-based pastor who performed the baptism also tested positive for Cholera after drinking water from the same river.

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The health response team diagnosed the paster, who was suffering from diarrhea and vomiting during contact tracing and field investigations.

Although she [the pastor] was not admitted to hospital, her stool sample was taken for laboratory testing and the results came back positive.

Then, a 10-year-old girl from Katlehong in the Ekurhuleni District presented with diarrhea, nausea and vomiting at Mpilweni Private Hospital on 19 March 2023. She was admitted and her test results confirmed a positive Cholera diagnosis.

The child’s mother was admitted to Thelle Mogoerane Hospital on 17 March and was treated for different health conditions, and died the following day.

“Cholera was not suspected by the clinicians, as a result, no stool samples were taken for processing,” said the health department.

The girl and her mother were also baptised with other church members at Klip River a week earlier.

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No travel histories point to local infections

“All four patients have no recent international travel history, which suggests a strong possibility of local transmission or infection,” said the health department.

The patients are recovering at home and are in stable condition.

The suspected source of local Cholera infections is water from the Juskei River and Kilp River.

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Health department mobilising outbreak response teams

The Health Outbreak Response Team is continuing with contact tracing and social mobilisation activities in the affected communities.

They are also providing health education about the disease, prevention methods, and management measures to affected communities to prevent possible widespread outbreaks.

“The environmental health practitioners will collect water samples from the two rivers for analysis in order to establish if indeed the water is contaminated with cholera, and the department will announce the results as soon as they are available.”

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The department will also intensify the refresher training amongst the clinicians about cholera, especially in the affected health districts of Gauteng.

Meanwhile, the residents are warned not to drink or use untreated water from flowing rivers and dams to prepare food.

“All people from the affected areas and beyond, who experience cholera-like symptoms which include diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, and body weakness are urged to visit their nearest clinic or hospital for screening and testing to ensure early detection and successful treatment if they test positive.”

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