Poor personal hygiene responsible for rapid spread of typhoid
Following recent news of four cases of typhoid in Gauteng, Springs residents have no cause for concern as no cases of the disease has been reported at any of the local hospitals.
Celia van Wyk, spokesman for Parkland Hospital, no cases of typhoid have been reported at the hospital.
“So far no cases of this contagious disease have been reported at our hospital,” says Leana Haywood from N17 Hospital.
Steven Mabona, Gauteng Department of Health spokesman, says Far East Rand Hospital and Pholosong Hospital are still without any patients diagnosed with typhoid.
The disease is also known as abdominal fever and is a serious bacterial infection usually caused by salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium, a rod-shaped bacteria that only infects humans and is contagious.
Dr Robyn Holgate, chief medical officer for ER24, says this highly infectious disease can 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.
Holgate says humans are the only reservoir hence a travel or recent contact history is critical in establishing whether typhoid is a likely diagnosis or not, as there are many other organisms which may cause abdominal type illness or gastro-entiritis.
Symptoms include high fever, headache, joint pains and abdominal discomfort, sometimes with vomiting and after a few days a faint rose spot rash on the chest and abdomen.
Qedani Mahlangu, the MEC for Health in Gauteng, says they have activated their Outbreak Response Team, to trace and manage these cases and to determine if there is a common cause.
“We wish to assure the community that we are on alert and that they should always wash their hands,” says Mahlangu.
No cases have been reported at Pholosong and Far East Hospital.
Mabona says it is encouraging to know that only four people have been diagnosed with the disease in Gauteng and are on the under treatment, stable and improving.
“However,” he says, “this serious illness should not be taken lightly.”
