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Laboratory tests have confirmed that a 46 year-old Mabopane woman who was admitted at Pretoria Academic Hospital is infected with cholera. She is still in hospital and her condition continues to improve.

She visited Potgietersrus and came back on Wednesday, 24 January 2001. She fell sick on 25 of January 2001 and was admitted at the Pretoria Academic Hospital on the same day.

The Department of Health in the North West wishes to assure the people of the province that there is no outbreak of cholera in the North West or in the Mabopane area. All cases of cholera reported in this province thus far are imported cases, none of them originate in the province.

Even Crocodile River, which passes through Brits in the North West Province, which was feared to have been contaminated or infected with cholera was tested and found to be cholera-free. Despite this, Dr Molefi Sefularo, MEC for Health in the North West, continues to urge health officials and the people of the North West not to be complacent. The department and the community must continue to take normal precautionary measures against cholera.

The department is satisfied that its contingency plans against cholera are firmly in place and that we are ready to deal with any possible outbreak.

Enquiries: Cornelius Monama on 082 578 4063

Issued by: Office of the MEC for Health, North West, 29 January 2001