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 diarrhoea cases in the Mbombela
sub-district (Kabokweni) and more diarrhoeal admissions have been reported at
Themba Hospital as from 13 January 2009. These particular cases in Mbombela
cases are diarrhoea not cholera; however, intensive monitoring is being carried
out and samples have been sent to laboratory for testing for early detection of
cholera.
On 9 January, the National Health Laboratory (NHLS) confirmed a cholera case
from Mmametlhake Hospital. The women died on 5 January 2009. She was a
Zimbabwean resident residing at Pankop village. Her husband tested negative for
cholera.
On 14 January 2009, four male patients with severe diarrhoea 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 diarrhoea
cases until late last week when clinics in the area reported people presenting
with diarrhoea.
The facilities were instructed to send in stool samples or rectal swabs from
all cases reporting to the facilities with diarrhoea. About 35 rectal swabs and
stool samples were send to the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)
laboratory at Rob Ferreira Hospital for testing daily, from 5 January 2009. It
increased to 50 samples per day from 12 January 2009.
Stool samples sent to laboratory for testing were received on 14 January
confirming eight samples tested positive for cholera. 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 diarrhoea and based on these allegations we have undertaken to investigate
all people, even those presenting with diarrhoea.
Measures put in place
From today two specialist doctors, Dr L Blumberg from National Institute of
Communicable Disease (NICD) and Dr C Mugero from World Health Organisation
(WHO) will visit Bushbuckridge to offer technical support.
We are conducting case investigations on all positive cholera cases. Case
investigations will also be done on all people who it is alleged died of
diarrhoea in the area. We have instructed facilities to map out all diarrhoea
cases presenting at health facilities.
We have requested the NHLS to speed up 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 three minutes.
or
b. Chlor Floc
- Add one sachet to 20 litres 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 â 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.
* If you suspect cholera or any diarrhoeal disease, replace water in the body
as quickly as possible using the following solution:
The life saving solution:
* eight teaspoons sugar
* ½ teaspoon salt
* one litre safe clean water
* If no clean safe water is available, body fluids can be replaced using cool
drinks.
Please Note: Go to nearest clinic as quickly as possible for help.
Summary: Nine cholera cases confirmed and one death.
For more information contact:
Mpho Gabashane
082 802 4937
Issued by: Department of Health, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
15 January 2009
