17 September 2007
The Eastern Cape Department of Health, Chris Hani District conducted an
investigation to identify the suspected case of cholera outbreak which most of
the cases were initially detected in a clinic at Ilinge Township in
Queenstown.
These cases were seen in the clinic but were dehydrated and sent home; only
one case was put on intravenous dehydration. This diarrhoeal outbreak was
attributed to drinking contaminated water and it was identified that there were
focal materials with worms coming from a burst pipe that was supplying water to
the community.
From the 11 September 2007 to date, 77 mild diarrhoeal cases were reported
from Ilinge area.
Water samples were taken from the burst pipes and sent to a laboratory
testing. The results of the water samples were negative for cholera species
suggesting that there was no cholera species in the water.
Water tanks, jik were distributed and the community was informed not to use
water from the taps until the problem of water supplies was sorted out.
A team of health environmental officers visited the township and health
promotion activities were conducted in the affected areas. In all cases, the
use of water provided by the municipality and good hygiene practices were
emphasised.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
17 September 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
