More cholera cases recorded in Mpumalanga

15 January 2009

More cholera cases have been reported in Mpumalanga. Our Communicable Disease Control Unit (CDC) has confirmed earlier suspected cases in Bushbuckridge municipality late yesterday. Areas that are confirmed to be affected are Dr JS Moroka, Thaba Choeu and Bushbuckridge municipalities.

There is also an increase in the daily diarrhea cases in the Mbombela sub-district (Kabokweni) and more diarrheal admissions have been reported at Themba Hospital as from the 13 January 2009. These particular cases in Mbombela cases are diarrhea not cholera, however intensive monitoring is being carried out and samples have been sent to laboratory for testing for early detection of cholera.

On the 9 January, the National Health Laboratory (NHLS) confirmed a Cholera case from Mmametlhake Hospital. The women died on the 5 January 2009. She was a Zimbabwean resident residing at Pankop village. Her husband tested negative for cholera.

On the 14 January 2009, four male patients with severe diarrhea and vomiting were seen at Pankop clinic. They are from Johannesburg. They were transferred to Johannesburg Hospital. Their cholera status cannot be confirmed.

Reports were received early in January about suspected cholera cases in Bushbuckridge area; however no facility reported an increase in diarrhea cases until late last week when clinics in the area reported people presenting with diarrhea.

The facilities were instructed to send in stool samples or rectal swabs from all cases reporting to the facilities with diarrhea.

About 35 rectal swabs and stool samples were send to the NHLS laboratory at Rob Ferreira Hospital for testing daily, from the 5 January 2009. It increased to 50 samples per day from 12 January 2009.

Stool samples sent to laboratory for testing were received on the 14 January confirming eight samples tested positive for Cholera. The cases were from; one case was seen at Hayzyview Town clinic, and the other was seen at Thokozane clinic; Jim Brown clinic, two cases at Matikwane Hospital, two cases at Mapulaneng Hospital and one case at Lydenburg Hospital.

We have received allegations that people have died in the area as a result of diarrhea and based on these allegations we have undertaken to investigate all people, even those presenting with diarrhea.

From today two specialists’ doctors; Dr L Blumberg form National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD) and Dr C Mugero from World Health organization (WHO) will visit Bushbuckridge to offer Technical support.

We are conducting Case investigation on all Positive Cholera cases. Case investigations will also be done on all people who it is alleged died of diarrhea in the area. We have instructed facilities to map out all diarrhea cases presenting at health facilities.

We have requested the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) to Speedingly do tests on samples sent for testing.

We are doing surveillance by providing health education to contacts and households; Conducting house-to-house visits in all affected areas, Providing health related messages through loud hailing to affected communities, Training community based workers to assist with house-to-house health education, Conducting health education at schools, churches, community meetings, funerals, and other gatherings. Community leaders are also involved and they support the department by advocating for community support.  They also participate in the house to house interventions.

We request people to do one of the following as prevention measures;

Purify water before using it for cooking and drinking using one of the following methods:

         a. Boil water for at least 3 minutes

   OR

        b. Chlor Floc Add one sachet to 20 liters of water
            Stir with a stick
            Let it stand for 15 minutes before use 
            Dirt will settle at the bottom
            Pour the water through a clean cloth into another clean container

• Use clean safe water and soap or ash to wash your hands after going to the toilet.
• Wash your hands with soap or ash before handling food because Cholera enters your mouth on contaminated food, water and hands.
• Wash fruit, plates and utensils in clean safe water.
• Keep flies off food – keep food covered with a clean cloth or a lid.
• Keep your house, especially the area where you prepare food hygienic clean.
• Keep the toilet and toilet area clean.
• Use water sparingly.

Issued by Department of health.

For more information

Mpho Gabashane
082 802 4937