Health Minister Joe Phaahla.
- Two new cases of cholera have been confirmed in the country.
- The cases are two sisters who traveled from Johannesburg to Malawi.
- A close contact of one of the brothers was admitted with diarrhea and dehydration on February 4.
South Africa has recorded cases of cholera, attributed to two sisters who had been to Malawi.
Health spokesman Foster Mohale said Health Minister Joe Phaahla called for vigilance as the country recorded two laboratory-confirmed cases.
“The cases are sisters who had traveled together from Johannesburg to Malawi to attend a funeral. They returned by bus on January 30. Both patients had developed symptoms on their return to Johannesburg.
“A patient presented at a local clinic and was later admitted to hospital. During case investigation and close contact follow-up, the other sister reported that she developed diarrhea while traveling back from Malawi. It resolved within a day. , and she did not seek medical attention.”
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Mohale added that a close contact, who is a family member of one of the two patients, was admitted to the hospital on February 4 with diarrhea and dehydration, and was considered a possible case.
“Laboratory test results are pending. Close contact tracing is ongoing,” Mohale said.
Background
Cholera is an acute enteric infection, caused by the Vibrio bacterium. Outbreaks usually occur in inadequate sanitation and insufficient access to safe drinking water.
Cholera usually causes acute watery diarrhea and can affect people of all ages. It spreads mainly through polluted and polluted waters.
People can become infected directly by drinking contaminated water or indirectly by eating contaminated food.
The infection is usually mild or asymptomatic, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening.
Symptoms range from mild to severe watery diarrhea and dehydration.
“Although cholera is often predictable and preventable, people are urged to ensure proper hand hygiene, which includes washing hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after using the bathroom or toilet and preparing or eating food.” .
The use of only safe or disinfected water for preparing food, beverages, and ice is recommended to prevent possible transmission of cholera, including.
“The safe disposal of human excreta and nappies is recommended. The department is working closely with the affected province, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases and the World Health Organization to closely monitor the situation.
“All people experiencing symptoms, including diarrhea and dehydration, with or without a history of travel to countries with cholera outbreaks, are urged to report to the nearest health center for health screening and early detection.
“The World Health Organization does not recommend any trade or travel restrictions in the countries based on the information available in accordance with international health regulations. Port health officers at ports of entry remain on alert for travelers arriving from countries experiencing a cholera outbreak.
Mohale said cholera was not endemic in South Africa and the last outbreak was in 2008/9, with some 12,000 cases.
