Suspected diarrhoea outbreak claims two lives in KaNyamazane
The Department of Health is doing investigations into two people who are suspected to have died of a diarrhoea outbreak in Ehlanzeni district.
The deceased were reported to KaNyamazane clinic and declared dead on their arrival Saturday.
According to investigations by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), it has since shown that a Shigela species is present which contaminated the water.
The Department has seen an increase of diarrhoea cases since the 20th of July 2018. Initially, the affected areas were Tekwane South and Entokozweni near KaNyamazane.
It has since spread to other areas of Kamagugu and Pienaar.
READ: 21 cases of Listeriosis reported in Mpumalanga
According to Department of Health spokesperson, Mr Dumisani Malamule, thus far, an additional 10 people are admitted to Rob Ferreira Hospital. “The provincial department of health, together with the national department, Silulumanzi, Mbombela Local municipality and Ehlanzeni district municipality are working together in finding a solution to this problem.”
The public is urged to boil water before use, purify it by adding half a teaspoon of bleach in a 25-litre water container.
The department requests that communities report diarrhoea, abdominal pains, nausea and vomiting to report immediately to their nearest clinics.
