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At a ceremony held in Durban, today the Jewish Club of Durban handed over R80 000 worth of rehydrant to Premier Lionel Mtshali for use in the fight against cholera. The Premier said that the donation of rehydrant will allow the Department of Health to offer this to those who attend rehydration centres, clinics or hospitals and whose condition is such that they might not require intravenous treatment. Those who have been treated will also be able to take some home and utilise this in their recovery period.

"Rehydration is the most vital part of treatment against this train of cholera and rehydrating a patient on the way to hospital can be critical. That is why the province has advertised the standard rehydration solution of 8 teaspoons of sugar and one teaspoon of salt dissolved in a litre of water so widely and extensively. This is continuing at present with enhancing the distribution of information and increasing education levels being a priority. New pamphlets, posters and stickers have been produced and are being distributed. In addition, radio messages on key KwaZulu-Natal stations will be extended into February and a number of display items will be erected at rehydration centres," the Premier said.

The weekly summary of cholera facts and figures, topical items and news, has been compiled and is attached or will be faxed later today. This document gives a comprehensive overview of all aspects of cholera plus a perspective of where cholera fits in terms of its threat to society. Cholera has the potential to devastate communities and cause widespread death and it is on the basis of this historical perspective that many form opinions and beliefs.

There have been no deaths confirmed in the last 24 hours and the total remains 103.The total of new cases in the last 24 hours is 1146.The cumulative total has of cases reported from the outbreak in August to date is now 45 441. The death rate at present is 0,23%.

Area: Lower Umfolozi District

Cases currently in hospital: 133
Cases reported in 24 hrs: 3 387
Total cases to date: 13 333
Deaths confirmed in past 24 hrs: 0
Total deaths to date: 22

Area: Ulundi

Cases currently in hospital: 140
Cases reported in 24 hrs: 292
Total cases to date: 670
Deaths confirmed in past 24 hrs: 0
Total deaths to date: 25

Area: Eshowe/Nkandla

Cases currently in hospital: 134
Cases reported in 24 hrs: 183
Total cases to date: 16 357
Deaths confirmed in past 24hrs: 0
Total deaths to date: 18

Area: Ladysmith

Cases currently in hospital: 2
Cases reported in 24 hrs: 0
Total cases to date: 6
Deaths confirmed in past 24 hrs: 0
Total deaths to date: 0

Area: Durban

Cases currently in hospital: 131
Cases reported in 24 hrs: 1
Total cases to date: 232
Deaths confirmed in past 24 hrs: 0
Total deaths to date: 4

Area: Kwadukuza/Stanger

Cases currently in hospital: 130
Cases reported in 24 hrs: 105
Total cases to date: 3 393
Deaths confirmed in past 24 hrs: 0
Total deaths to date: 9

Area: Jozini

Cases currently in hospital: 1
Cases reported in 24 hrs: 0
Total cases to date: 74
Deaths confirmed in past 24 hrs: 0
Total deaths to date: 1

Area: Ugu Region/South Coast

Cases currently in hospital: 97
Cases reported in 24 hrs: 108
Total cases to date: 3 964
Deaths confirmed in past 24hrs: 0
Total deaths to date: 17

Area: Newcastle/Nqutu

Cases currently in hospital: 26
Cases reported in 24 hrs: 7
Total cases to date: 150
Deaths confirmed in past 24 hrs: 0
Total deaths to date: 2

Area: Pietermaritzburg/Ndlovu

Cases currently in hospital: 98
Cases reported in 24 hrs: 112
Total cases to date: 1 222
Deaths confirmed in past 24 hrs: 0
Total deaths to date: 4

Total

Cases currently in hospital: 892
Cases reported in 24 hrs: 1 146
Total cases to date: 45 441
Deaths confirmed in past 24 hrs: 0
Total deaths to date: 103

Contact:

W D Khanyile on 083 457 on 083 457 1171
R W Green - Thompson on 083 457 1200

Issued by: Office of the MEC for Health, KwaZulu-Natal, 12 February 2001