City on high alert following cholera cases
The disease is spread by ingesting contaminated food or water.
The City of Ekurhuleni is on high alert following the deaths of two people from cholera. The first victim died on February 8 and her 22-year-old son, who had been admitted to the OR Tambo Hospital, died 11 days later.
They were residents of the Emandleni informal settlement in Wattville, Benoni. According to the city, a third case was confirmed on Monday morning.
“We have moved swiftly to launch an investigation to determine the origins of the disease and to trace any other incidents, while at the same time embarking on a roadshow to educate people about cholera in general,” said city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
“It makes sense that we are on high alert because we do not want to see the spread of this disease which can claim lives rapidly if left unchecked.
“We have sourced water samples from the river the victims visited to determine if the river was not the source of the infections.”
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacteria Vibrio cholera. It is spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated by the faeces of an infected person.
The community is urged to immediately consult the nearest healthcare facility if they experience the following symptoms:
• Profuse watery diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Thirst
• Leg cramps
• Restlessness or irritability
Cholera can be prevented by taking the following precautions:
• When cooking or drinking, washing your fruits and vegetables, use safe water from the municipal tap or bottled water.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before touching food.
• Where safe water is not accessible, use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Use the toilet and do not defecate in the open.
• Clean up surfaces with safe water.
Dlamini explains that the educational campaign that started in Emandleni will spread to other areas now that cases have been identified.
In the meantime, the city made it clear that the drinking water from the tap is healthy and safe to drink.
