22 January 2009
Two more cholera cases have been confirmed in the North West province. A
Limpopo resident (male) working in Pilanesberg mine was admitted with diarrhoea
at George Stegman Hospital on 13 January 2009 and laboratory tests confirmed
cholera on 20 January. The patient confirmed that he visited Ga Matlala in
Limpopo during festive season and came back to North West on 11 January. He is
recovering well.
The other case is a contact of a Mozambican who was admitted at the
Carletonville Hospital early last week. Two of his six contacts became sick
with mild diarrhoea and cholera was confirmed on one of them (brother) on 21
January 2009. Results of the other contact are awaited.
Contacts of a patient admitted at George Stegman hospital were visited by
the departmentâs infection control officials to access the condition and give
health education on hygiene.
The cases bring the total number of cholera cases reported in the province
since the outbreak was reported late last year to seven. No cholera related
death has been reported in the North West.
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 five
litre bottle of water or to mix one capful of household bleach with 20-25
litres of water and let it stand for at least two hours (preferably overnight)
before consumption.
Any member of the public who gets sick with diarrhoea is urged to visit the
nearest clinic immediately.
Enquiries:
Nthabiseng Makhongoana
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: nmakhongoana@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, North West Provincial Government
22 January 2009
