Wattville man first recorded cholera death in the country
The department said one of his contacts is still in hospital.
A 24-year-old man from Emandleni in Wattville, has died from cholera amid the current outbreak.
The number of laboratory confirmed cases has risen to five.
According to a statement released by the Department of Health, the man had no travel history.
“The patient presented with profuse watery diarrhea and was admitted at Tambo Memorial Hospital. His results confirmed positive status and he sadly passed away few days later.”
The department said one of his contacts is still in hospital and further investigation is being conducted.
The body of the deceased will be transported to KwaZulu-Natal for burial and health officials will advise the bereaved family and undertakers of the safe burial precautions to prevent the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, his death follows the first three cases announced a few weeks ago.
The first two confirmed cases were of two sisters who had travelled together from Johannesburg to Malawi to attend a funeral service. They returned by bus on January 30 and both patients had developed symptoms on their return to Johannesburg.
The third confirmed case was a family member of the two sisters who was admitted in hospital on February 4 with diarrhoea and dehydration.
The fourth case, a 28-year-old from Alexandra Township also had no local or international travel history.
The patient presented himself at the Edenvale Hospital Emergency Centre with a four-day history of diarrhoea, vomiting and body weakness.
A specimen was collected for testing and the patient was not admitted at the hospital but managed as an outpatient and given treatment to take home. His results came back positive.
The outbreak response team conducted a case investigation and visited the patient’s residence and workplace the following day.
The department said Cholera mainly spreads through contaminated/polluted water.
“People can become infected directly through drinking contaminated water, or indirectly through eating contaminated food. Symptoms include diarrhoea, dehydration, vomiting and body weakness. Members of the public are reminded to maintain hand hygiene to prevent possible transmission. Anyone who experiences cholera-like symptoms, with or without local or international travel history, are encouraged to visit their nearest health facility for screening and testing to ensure early detection and successful treatment, if tested positive,” said in a statement.
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