The West Rand District Health Services (WRDHS) reassured residents of Rand West City that their water supply is free from typhoid-fever bacteria.
According to a media statement issued by the WRDHS communication officer London Sebiloane, typhoid fever is a life-threatening bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. At this stage, humans are the only known hosts of Salmonella typhi.
It’s also known as enteric fever and without prompt treatment it can cause serious complications and be fatal,” the statement read.
“Bacteria are shed in the faeces of an infected person and transmitted from person to person through ingestion of food or water contaminated by the faeces (the faecal-oral route). Large outbreaks of typhoid fever are often associated with contaminated drinking water. The organism can survive in fresh water (e.g. ground and pond water) and sea water for several days,” the statement explained.
Organisms can survive in contaminated foods for several months.
Outbreaks have been associated with contaminated eggs, oysters (fresh and frozen), ice cream and iced drinks, raw fruits and vegetables, fish and various meats.
“Contamination of food can occur through food handlers (e.g. vendors who may be asymptomatic carriers), irrigation of gardens/ crops with sewage-contaminated water or fertilizers, as well as those infected sharing food items,” said the statement.
“After being to the toilet, changing your baby’s nappy and before preparing or serving food, eating or breastfeeding your child, always wash your hands using soap and running clean water. Visit the nearest clinic/ healthcare centre if you have the following symptoms: Fever, headache, abdominal pain/ cramps, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea.
“Other uncommon clinical signs include a lower heart rate than would be expected in the presence of fever and illness; ‘rose spots’ which are faint-pink spots 2–4cm in diameter that develop on the chest, abdomen and back; or an enlarged liver and spleen,” the statement concluded.
