River
3 April 2007
Laboratory tests on water samples have revealed traces of cholera in various
sections of the Vaal River, specifically at Barkly West, Spitskop,
Schmidtsdrift, the Vaalharts Weir in Warrenton and the Vaalharts Canal System.
Tests conducted in treated water have, however, come back negative for cholera
and treated water is thus totally safe for all purposes.
Environmental conditions are thus favourable for cholera and other
waterborne diseases and the public is alerted not to drink any untreated or raw
surface water from any source. People are further warned against swimming in
rivers, ponds and canals, as well as abstaining from fishing and water
sports.
Furthermore, all raw water must be made clean and safe before using it for
household tasks and bathing.
This is very important, as cholera is a potentially fatal disease and is
transmitted by drinking contaminated water from rivers, wells, tanks and
canals; drinking unpurified water; using eating utensils washed in untreated
water; eating food contaminated after contact with contaminated water; washing
clothing and bedding in rivers and poor sanitation and personal hygiene
practices.
It is also essential that people presenting with watery diarrhoea do not
delay seeking medical attention and must visit their nearest clinic or health
facility regardless of whether or not they present with any other symptoms,
including vomiting. This is because people who drink contaminated water can
become carriers with little or no symptoms at all. Surveillance has also been
strengthened at all health facilities.
In the meantime, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) is
conducting further tests on various water sources and will continue to closely
monitor the water throughout the province. DWAF is also liasing with
neighbouring colleagues to check the purity of the water further upstream.
Tests will thus be conducted on a very regular basis in order to assess the
water, as there is no action that can be taken to physically cleanse our water
sources, and this will have to follow a natural course. DWAF will, however,
notify the public once the isolates of cholera can no longer be traced in our
water sources and the purity levels are safe. It is thus important that people
abide by the issued warnings until such time as they receive further
notification.
In the meantime, a combined task team, made up of officials from various
government departments, including DWAF, Department of Health, Housing and Local
Government, Frances Baard District Municipality and Sol Plaatjie Municipality
have plotted the way forward.
As mentioned previously, DWAF will continue to monitor the water and will
also ensure a safe drinking supply to the affected communities by promoting
safe water measures in conjunction with the Department of Health, who will take
the lead in the upcoming awareness campaign. Organised agriculture will get
farmers on board, as farm workers living along the rivers are high risk, whilst
the Department of Housing and Local Government will assist in co-ordinating the
task team.
Fact sheet
Further symptoms are usually present within 5�12 hours after the onset of
diarrhoea and include:
* Severe, watery, painless diarrhoea
* Nausea, vomiting
* Extreme thirst, dehydration, shock
* Cramps in legs and abdomen
* Unconsciousness, heart arrest.
It is thus critical that people visit their nearest health facility at the
onset of watery diarrhoea because untreated patients often die within
hours.
People are further urged to ensure that their drinking water is clean and
also to implement good hygiene practices:
Make water safe:
1. Collect fresh water every day.
2. Pour (filter) the water through a clean cloth.
3. Pour 1 teaspoon (5ml) of domestic bleach into 20 litres of water, mix well
and wait for at least one hour or boil the water and let it bubble for at least
three minutes, to make it clean and safe or for a small quantity add 2 drops of
bleach to 2 litres of water and leave for an hour before use.
4. Safe water can easily get dirty. Store safe water in a clean closed
container.
5. Use a clean cup each time to scoop water from container or pour water from
container when you need it.
Prepare safe food:
1. Wash your hands with soap (or ash) and safe water before you eat or
prepare food. Keep all food utensils clean.
2. Wash fruit and vegetables with safe water and peel them before eating them.
Cook all meat, fish and vegetables well. Keep food covered in a clean, cool
place. Store raw and cooked food separately.
Wash your hands
Wash your hands with soap (or ash) and safe water, after using the toilet or
changing a baby's nappy, and after throwing away rubbish.
Keep toilets clean
1. Use the toilet and keep the toilet clean. Keep the toilet seat and the
door closed, to stop the spread of germs from flies.
Treatment of Cholera
1. Does the person have diarrhoea (running tummy) and vomiting?
2. Make a mixture of 1 litre of safe water, 8 teaspoons of sugar and half a
teaspoon of salt and mix well, and have the person drink it on the way to the
clinic.
3. Take the person to the clinic immediately!
Enquiries:
Jurgen Streit
Water Quality Management (DWAF)
Cell: 082 806 3411
Sam Dywili
Water Quality Management (DWAF)
Cell: 082 807 4340
Shelley Fielding
Department of Health
Cell: 083 701 7191
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry in conjunction with the
Department of Health
3 April 2007
