North West
10 March 2009
Mafikeng Provincial Hospital admitted a patient on 1 March 2009, which has
been confirmed as cholera.
Between 7 to 9 March 2009, 21 cases of diarrhoea have been admitted to Brits
Hospital. Two of the patients, one adult male and adult female have died from
hypovolaemic shock and renal failure. Cholera has not yet been confirmed.
Results are awaited.
These 21 cases reside in informal settlements in farms about 30 kilometres
from Brits. The department has dispatched an outbreak response team to the
affected areas to assess conditions and initiate remedial actions.
A total number of 14 cases of cholera, including the latest case, have been
reported in the province since the outbreak was reported late last year.
Communities are urged to take precautionary measures such as washing hands with
soap and water every time they use from the toilet, after changing babies'
nappies and when preparing food.
The department would 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 to 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:
Dr Andrew Robison
Cell: 082 457 4843
Issued by: Department of Health, North West Provincial Government
10 March 2009
