Cholera outbreak claims 10 lives
Jubliee District Hosiptal has opened additional wards in preparation for a possible influx of patients diagnosed with Cholera.
Jubliee District Hosiptal has opened additional wards in preparation for a possible influx of patients diagnosed with Cholera.
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This as communities of Hammanskraal and surrounding areas are warned against drinking tap water after Gauteng province recorded a rise in Cholera deaths.
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) announced on Sunday, that it had recorded ten Cholera deaths and 19 new confirmed cases from Hammanskraal.
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and the City of Tshwane MMC for Health, Rina Marx confirmed a Cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal after visiting Jubilee District Hospital where 37 people are admitted with Cholera symptoms.
This comes after lab results of stool specimen of 19 people presented at the Hospital with symptoms of diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea confirmed that it is Cholera.
The Department said 95 people from Kanana, Suurman, Majaneng, Green Field, Carousel View, Lephengville and Sekampaneng had been treated at the hospital with similar symptoms.
On Saturday, the Department initially reported that there were six deaths, but Nkomo-Ralehoko confirmed on Sunday that the death toll had risen to ten people, included a three-year-old.
Speaking of government intervention to increase response capacity at the hospital, the MEC said the two additional wards were to accommodate patients who could not be immediately admitted on arrival at Jubilee Hospital.
“We have also mobilised additional resources which include medical and nursing staff from surrounding hospitals and local clinics to improve capacity for the growing need for medical care.
“Furthermore, additional linen has been delivered from the provincial laundry to activate the extra beds,” said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.
The provincial, district and municipality outbreak response teams were dispatched to the hospital and the affected areas to further investigate the source of the diarrhoeal disease.
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The MEC urged the public to take extra precautionary measures and maintain proper hand hygiene.
“We would like to reiterate and urge the public to avoid known or suspected contaminated food, water and surfaces and wash hands thoroughly with soap before handling food or after using the bathroom to prevent possible infection.
“It is also important that people never drink water from unsafe sources such as rivers, dams, streams, unless boiled or disinfected,” emphasised the MEC.
The Department has also engaged with the national departments of Water and Sanitation and Human Settlements to add additional capacity to support the municipality with water infrastructure and related issues.
Residents are advised to report to their nearest health facilities when they are presented with symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and dehydration so they can receive treatment.
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