Four cases of Typhoid identified in Joburg

The cases were identified in Hillbrow, Yeoville, Edenvale and Palm Spring.

Two of these cases were identified at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital whilst the other two were confirmed at the Edenvale District Hospital.

Unfortunately, one of them, a 27-year-old Malawian female patient died at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital on Sunday 17 January 2016.

The deceased patient traveled to her home country three weeks ago for a holiday and returned to South Africa through Mozambique on Tuesday 12 January 2016.

She went to the Hillbrow Community Health Centre on Thursday 14 January 2016, complaining of fever, headache and vomiting. She was tested for Malaria and since the results were negative and she was not seriously ill, she was discharged, and asked to come back if her symptoms persisted. Tests for Typhoid Fever was not conducted because since the disease is not prevalent in the community.

While home she felt sick again and returned to the health centre on Friday 15 January, and was referred to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital.

She went to Charlotte Maxeke on Saturday 16 January 2016, complaining of a severe fever, headache and joint pains.

She died on Sunday,17 January 2016. Tests confirmed that she died of the Typhoid Fever.

Subsequently, another South African female patient aged 16 years old, was admitted to Charlotte Maxeke on Tuesday 19 January 2016, also complaining of fever, headache and vomiting.

She was immediately diagnosed with Typhoid, is undergoing treatment, stable and improving.

She has never traveled out of the country or anywhere outside Gauteng.

It must also be noted that, two Zimbabwean girls aged 11 and three were admitted to the Edenvale District Hospital on Wednesday 13 January 2016 and on 22 January 2016 respectively. Both were complaining of fever, headache, body aches and pain. The said patients were diagnosed with Typhoid and are under treatment, stable and improving.

It is understood that both children just returned from Zimbabwe, their home country onTuesday 12 January 2016 after brief visits there.

The health department’s statement reads, “Typhoid is a highly infectious disease and spread through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. It is common in communities where there is inadequate sanitation. Poor personal hygiene is also responsible for the rapid spread of the disease. It is particularly important to wash hands before preparing food.”

Symtoms of Typhoid includes high fever, headache, joint pains, and abdominal discomfort sometimes with vomiting.

Health professionals are advised to test such patients for Typhoid and if not possible, they must be referred to Institutions that are capable of conducting such tests.

“We have activated our Outbreak Response Team, to trace and manage these cases and to determine if there is a common source. We wish to assure the public that we are on the alert. People must always wash hands” said MEC for Health in Gauteng, Qedani Mahlangu.

The Outbreak Response Team, have alerted all members of the Outbreak Response about these Typhoid cases, sent environmental health practitioners to the residences of the affected patients, to check whether there are other people who might have similar symptoms and have taken samples from all sources of drinking water, to determine the source of this disease. The team has also checked on patients at all affected health facilities.

They will continue to be on the alert, and have advised all health professionals in Gauteng to also be vigilant.