Wash cooldrink cans before use, warns health dept
The Department of Health issued a statement in which they ask people who make use of canned cooldrinks to wash the cans before they use it, or to pour the liquid into a cup or glass instead.
POLOKWANE – This, after people in several parts of the country tested positive for leptospirosis.
The Spokesperson for the Department, Derick Kganyago told Review, reports indicated that people drinking directly from cans, may have fallen ill as a result of cans that may have been stored for long periods and which tested positive for rat urine.
“Cooldrinks are bought in large numbers and stored in storerooms for a period of time. When you buy a can of cool drink, you can’t be sure whether or not the cans had been washed.”
He advised consumers to instead be safe and wash the cans before use.
Though relatively rare, leptospirosis is a real and potentially life-threatening disease which can be transmitted via rat urine and faeces (and those of other animals).
In humans, the illness can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:
• High fever
• Headache
• Chills
• Muscle aches
• Vomiting
• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
• Red eyes
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Rash
Many of these symptoms can, however, be mistaken for other diseases. In addition, some infected persons may have no symptoms at all. The time between a person’s exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick is two to four weeks.
Illness usually begins abruptly with fever and other symptoms. Leptospirosis may occur in two phases:
After the first phase (with fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea) the patient may recover for a time but become ill again. If a second phase occurs, it is more severe; the person may have kidney or liver failure or meningitis.
The illness lasts from a few days to three weeks or longer.
