535 people admitted in Vryheid for diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps

535 people were admitted to Vryheid Hospital for vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps since March 22, according to the KZN Department of Health.

The latest patient was admitted today and there were five people admitted yesterday.

Health MEC, Sbongiseno Dhlomo, visited the hospital today to interact with patients and District health officials, who briefed him on what intervention has been taken to improve the situation.

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“The lab results of both stools of the patients and the water samples are showing no sign of vibrio cholera, typhoid or any other known pathogens that cause severe diarrhea. We have advised the community that they must boil water, even if it comes from the tap. We are also aware that the municipality has increased the chlorine content at the reservoirs,” said Dr Dhlomo.

“The laboratory will continue to look for any other pathogens that might be causing this irritant diarrhea. But since these interventions that we’ve put in place, we have been noticing a decreasing number of admissions of patients with abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting.”

Most of the people who were admitted at Vryheid Hospital were referred from Bhekuzulu Clinic  and Mason Clinic, according to Dr Dhlomo.

He went to commend the hospital for its excellent intervention, adding that patients were being discharged in a stable state within three days of being admitted.

“There’s been no single death from the diarrhea outbreak,” confirmed Dr Dhlomo, dispelling allegations from the community that children had died.

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Water manager, Nathi Mbongwa, said the municipality would be releasing an official statement regarding the results of the water tests, but said that he had received conclusive confirmation that cholera was not present in the water samples that were taken.

Responding to a social media post that the water supply to town was cut off yesterday in order to take more samples, Mr Mbongwa clarified that the water disruption was a result of one the pumps at the dam breaking down.

Cllr Alta de Kock advised that the pump has now been repaired and water supply would return as soon as the reservoir is filled.

While lab tests are being conducted to detect possible pathogens in the water, residents are urged to continue to abide by the prescribed safety protocols:

• Use only bottled water, or water that has been disinfected with 1 teaspoon or 5ml of bleach into 20 – 25 litres of water, mix well and wait for at least 30 minutes before consumption.
• Then boil the water at least for a minute (let it bubble) to make it clean and safe.
• Wash all raw food with clean, treated or boiled water
• Wash your hands after visiting the toilet, and before handling or eating food
• Wash food utensils in clean, treated or boiled water
• Protect food from fly contamination and prevent fly contamination at home
• Do not allow children to play in dirty pools, rivulets or storm water outlets
• Do not contaminate rivers or leave sewage where it can be washed into a river by rain.