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6 January 2009

The number of cholera cases both confirmed and suspected so far seem to be confined largely to two (2) of the country's nine (9) provinces. This has emerged from the Situation Report (SITREP 27) of the National Outbreak Committee meeting held on 5 January 2009 in Pretoria.

The Committee held its first meeting of 2009 in Pretoria yesterday to take stock of the number of cholera cases in the country since the first outbreak was reported late last year. Based on the report, including the epidemiological data, figures suggest that Limpopo still has the highest case load of cholera cases followed by Gauteng with 21 confirmed cases.

In other provinces, isolated suspected cases have been reported and the health authorities in those provinces are conducting tests aimed at determining the true patient situation.

As most people, including foreign nationals, travel back to their homes after the December holidays, the health department is heightening its health awareness campaign as part of preventing the spread of the disease. Cholera treatment guidelines have also been distributed to all the country's provinces to empower healthcare workers to deal with suspected and confirmed cholera cases as well as infection control.

Environmental health officers have also been deployed in all high-risk areas to educate members of the public about cholera and how to avoid it. These high-risk areas are largely areas with poor sanitation and low toilet coverage, exposing residents to increased risks of exposure to cholera.

The Department of Health appeals to members of the public not to panic.

Instead, people are called upon to follow basic hygiene measures such as washing of hands after visits to toilets, washing fruit and vegetables before eating them. For people who may be in high-risk areas it is still advisable to boil water before using it.

For more information please contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Cell: 079 517-3333.

Issued by: Department of Health
6 January 2009