Comprehensive update on cholera outbreak in Mpumalanga
19 January 2009
On the 3rd
January 2009, we received a report from our
facilities about increase of diarrhea cases in
the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. We also
had a report of a Zimbabwean couple who reside
in Pankop village who reported at our pankop
clinic on the 2nd January 2009,
presenting with vomiting and watery diarrhea. A
female partner passed away on the 5th
January 2009 and the husband was discharged on
the 7th January 2009. Results of
tests send to laboratory came back on the 9th
January 2009 showing that a woman was positive
for cholera and the male partner was negative.
In four
Local Municipalities of Ehlanzeni District, the
number of people presenting with diarrhea also
increased. Most were seen at Thokozani , Jim
Brown,Marite, Cork, Cunningmore, culcutta,
Oakely, Mkhuhlu clinics; Mapulaneng, Matikwane,
Lydenburg and Themba Hospitals.
On the
16 January 2009, the Cholera cases reached
outbreak levels. Using the National case
definition, we have treated all diarrhoea cases
presenting at facilities as cholera cases until
tests are received from laboratories.
Using
the National case definition we can announce
today that we now have 19 deaths recorded as
cholera cases; 16 in Matikwane hospital, two (2)
in Mapulaneng hospital and one in Mmamethlake. A
review of the deaths has been conducted by a
team led by Dr. Lucille Blumberg from NICD. Over
and above these deaths we have 642 diarrhoea
cases seen at our facilities since 31 December
2008 to date, of which 49 are confirmed cases
and 139 hospitalized people.
The
hotspot areas are; Thokozane clinic, Jim Brown
Clinic, Cork clinic and Mbombela North.
Water
tests have been conducted in water sources,
focusing on streams, wells and rivers in the
area have revealed presence of E.coli and Vibrio
cholera especially in Ngwaritsi River. The
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry will
conduct further tests.
To this
end, we as of today declare all water sources
except tap water to be unsafe for human
consumption. We urge our people in these
affected areas not to use water from streams,
wells and rivers. The Municipality will look
into how we supply alternative supply of clean
water in the affected areas.
Interventions put in place;
We have
already erected a tent to deal with overflow of
patients in Matikwane hospital. The tents and
stretchers were provided by SAMHS.
The
Municipality will continue to supply water tanks
to affected areas.
We will
intensify health education and social
mobilization in the affected area.>
A team
of expects has been deployed in the area to
assist with case management.
We have received additional resources donated by Red
Cross; 500 blankets, 50 buckets, 50 trapolins,
190 mattresses, 100 cholera kits with drip stands, 1000 Oral Rehydration
Solution, 20 chemical toilets and 20 health promoters.
It is important for all our people in affected areas
to boil water for at least 3 minutes before use;
add a teaspoon of bleach to 25 liters of water
containers and to adhere to minimum hygiene
practices.
We will closely monitor the situation and at any given
point in time we deploy additional resources
when the need arise.
End.
Issued by Department of health.
For more information
Mpho Gabashane
082 802 4937
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