19 January 2009
On the 3rd of January 2009, we received a report from our facilities about
increase of diarrhoea 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 2 January 2009, presenting with vomiting and watery
diarrhoea. A female partner passed away on 5 January 2009 and the husband was
discharged on 7 January 2009. Results of tests send to laboratory came back on
9 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 diarrhoea also increased. Most were seen at Thokozani, Jim
Brown, Marite, Cork, Cunningmore, Culcutta, Oakely, Mkhuhlu clinics;
Mapulaneng, Matikwane, Lydenburg and Themba hospitals.
On 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 in Mapulaneng
hospital and one in Mmamethlake. A review of the deaths has been conducted by a
team led by Dr Lucille Blumberg from National Institute of Communicable
Diseases (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 hospitalised 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 South African
Military Health Service (SAMHS).
* The municipality will continue to supply water tanks to affected
areas.
* We will intensify health education and social mobilisation 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, 1 000
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 litres 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.
For more information contact:
Mpho Gabashane
Cell: 082 802 4937
Issued by: Department of Health, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
19 January 2009
Source: Mpumalanga Provincial Government (http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za/)
