Don’t drink Vryheid’s tap water, warns mayor

This story has been updated with a follow up story. Please scroll to the bottom of the story for a link to the latest update.

“Don’t drink the tap water unless you have boiled it first,” cautions AbaQulusi mayor, Jerry Sibiya.

This warning comes after numerous residents from Vryheid town and Bhekuzulu began experiencing severe gastrointestinal problems including vomiting, diarrhoea and agonising abdominal cramps from as early as Wednesday last week.

Water manager, Nathi Mbongwa, told the Vryheid Herald that he would be subjecting water samples to rigorous testing after receiving a report on Monday morning indicating that the hospital had treated 14 patients from Bhekuzulu, one from Mondlo and one from Louwsberg with the same symptoms.

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However, Sister S Smith from the Vryheid Hospital says that the number of patients treated for nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea since this weekend, is much higher than that.

“I am busy with my preliminary report for the hospital CEO and will be able to say how many patients were treated once it is complete, but it was far more than 14,” said Sister Smith.

When questioned about rumours that residents had died after presenting with these symptoms, Sister Smith admitted that people had died, but the hospital will only be able to confirm the reason for the deaths after an examination is conducted by a doctor.

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“You must stay hydrated because you lose a lot of fluids when you are sick but please drink safe water,” advised Sister Smith. “The water must be left at a running boil for at least one minute. If you have one of those modern kettles that switch off automatically, open the lid and allow the water to continue to boil for a full minute before switching the kettle off. Look for products on the shelf that can purify water, if you can. Wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially if you start to show symptoms, or you can infect someone else. The population that is most at risk are elderly people and children, but anyone who is starting to show symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. Rather come early than when it is too late.”

UPDATE: Vryheid pharmacy runs out of meds as sick residents flock to medical centres

UPDATE: R160K to test if Vryheid’s water is making residents sick

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