Hammanskraal cholera outbreak: Death toll rises to 12
The City of Tshwane urges communities in Hammanskraal to avoid drinking tap water and apply proper hand hygiene after cholera outbreak claims 12 lives.
The death toll from a gastrointestinal infection, now confirmed to be cholera, in Hammanskraal, has risen to 12.
This was as of Monday morning, May 22.
Gauteng department of health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba confirmed the deaths were due to cholera.
“At least 12 lives have been claimed by the cholera outbreak.
“People showing symptoms like vomiting, watery diarrhoea, nausea and stomach cramps must report to their nearest health facility.”
Modiba said as of Sunday (May 21), 37 people have been admitted to hospital.
“Hospitals have welcomed over 90 patients seeking medical attention since the outbreak on May 15 to date,” Modiba said.
Modiba urged people to apply proper hand hygiene.
“The community must take precautions and maintain good hand hygiene before handling food after using the bathroom and they must disinfect surfaces.”
Modiba strongly pleaded with people to refrain from sharing unverified information.
“Only official sources from departments will issue accurate information regarding this situation.
“We would like to urge people to stop causing panic and we will provide updates in due time,” Modiba said.
METRO URGES RESIDENTS NOT TO DRINK TAP WATER
However, the City of Tshwane issued a warning to residents in Hammanskraal and surrounds urging them not to drink tap water.
“While [tap] water supplied by the city in Hammanskraal is not potable, the city does provide potable water through 52 water tankers to informal settlements three times a week, and 40 water trucks to formal areas daily in Region 2.
“This is done to ensure that communities drink safe water,” said Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba
“The city regularly conducts tests on the quality of water provided to our communities, and following this outbreak, comprehensive tests will be done on the entire water distribution network.”
Bokaba said that results of the tests were expected by Wednesday, May 24, adding that some samples were from the Moretele area, which is not supplied by the CoT.
“The outbreak response teams (ORT) are on the ground conducting surveillance monitoring and doing sampling of the water.
Gauteng health said the patients were from Kanana, Suurman, Majaneng, and Green Field.
The Tshwane mayor is set to visit Temba hospital on Monday.
Watch: https://twitter.com/GautengHealth/status/1660527419042742274?cxt=HHwWhIC2_fi4sIsuAAAA
ALSO READ: City urges Hammanskraal residents not to drink the tap water
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