19 January 2009
One cholera case has been reported at the Carletonville Hospital in the
North West province. A 44 year old male was admitted on 13 January 2009 and
laboratory tests revealed signs of cholera on 14 January 2009.
The patient is a Mozambican Citizen living in South Africa and has confirmed
that he visited Mozambique during the festive season. He came back on 9 January
2009.
This brings a total number of cases reported in the province to five since
the outbreak was reported late last year. No cholera related death has been
reported. The patient is recovering well and the other four patients have been
discharged.
Communities are urged to take precautionary measures such as washing hands
with soap and water every time they come back from the toilet, after changing
babiesâ nappies and when preparing food.
The department also like to advise those using untreated water and anyone at
risk, to purify their water with a teaspoon of household bleach (Jik) to a 5
litre bottle of water or to mix 1 capful of household bleach with 20 to 25
litres of water and let it stand for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight)
before consumption.
Any member of the public who gets sick with diarrhoea is urged to visit the
nearest clinic immediately.
For more information contact:
Nthabiseng Makhongoana
Cell: 082 929 9958
Email: nmakhongoana@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, North West Provincial Government
19 January 2009
