The provincial government has expressed a serious concern, as transmission of the infection seems to be moving from one area to another.
According to a statement from the provincial government to date, over 1 300 cases of diarrhoea have been reported in health facilities especially within Mbombela Municipality.
“While the source of this alarming diarrhoea outbreak has not yet been identified, water tests are continuously being conducted by Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Department of Water and Sanitation as well as the City of Mbombela (Sembcorp Silulumanzi) repetitively on a daily basis, ” said Zibonele Mncwango, spokesperson for the Premier of Mpumalanga.
“Although the provincial government is not too sure where the germ seems to be coming from, citizens are meanwhile being encouraged to exercise caution by continuously wash hands with soap before eating and after using the toilets, wash hands after changing baby nappies, and after throwing away rubbish,” said Mncwango.
Further, citizens are encouraged to prepare safe food by constantly washing or peeling fruit and vegetables, cook food thoroughly especially meat, and should store food in a clean and cool place.
“They must continue to exercise precaution before drinking water by pouring a teaspoon of bleach into 25 Litres of water, mix well and wait for at least 30 minutes or boil the water at least three minutes. The provincial government is further encouraging citizens to go to the nearest health facility immediately if they suspect that they are experiencing diarrhoea which is mainly in the form of passing loose stools, feeling waves of nausea and vomiting as well as feeling stomach cramps,” Mncwango added.
