Three Cholera cases confirmed in Gauteng
Residents are also advised to practice safe hygiene to avoid contraction.
Pretoria residents should remain cautious and screen themselves for cholera symptoms, the Gauteng health department warned.
This was after three cases of cholera were confirmed in the province.
The department said a third case was confirmed on February 7 in Johannesburg, along with two others on February 1 and 3 respectively.
“Please make sure to immediately seek help if you feel that you are going through the symptoms of cholera.
“Don’t think you can solve the issue yourself at home.
“The quicker you seek treatment, the quicker we can help,” said the Tshwane district outbreak response unit’s assistant nursing manager, Maria van der Westhuizen.
The most common symptom is severe diarrhoea. The stomach runs are said to go on for days, unlike regular diarrhoea which can last an hour or two.
“The constant diarrhoea can make the person feel very lethargic to the extent that they don’t even want to get out of bed. If you are going through such, please go to your nearest clinic immediately. If it’s after hours, go to the hospital,” Van der Westhuizen continued.
Symptoms are said to accelerate between two hours and five days, thus residents are urged to seek assistance as soon as possible should they be suffering from diarrhoea.
Residents are also advised to practice safe hygiene to avoid contraction.
“Always wash your hands and the fruits and veggies that you cook and eat, especially if you bought them from a street vendor.
“Make sure to drink lots of fluids should you feel symptoms coming along.”
Residents are also advised to purify their drinking water by mixing one teaspoon of household bleach with 20-25 litres of water and letting it sit for at least two hours. Or boil your water for at least one minute and then store it in a clean, covered container.
The department said that they are monitoring the situation carefully and are working closely with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the National Department of Health to monitor the increase in cases.
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