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25 January 2008

Health Minister Barbara Hogan has highlighted a number of steps to contain the outbreak of cholera across the country.

“I am very concerned about the increase in the number of cases but confident in the ability of the Health Department to fight the disease,” the Minister said.

From 15 November 2008 to 23 January 2009, 5 341 patients were diagnosed and treated for cholera. Of this number, 34 people - a case fatality rate of 0.64 percent - died as a result of the disease.

Minister Hogan said “While any death from cholera is one death too many, the low case fatality rate across the country reflects the quality of care that is provided in most of our public health facilities.”

The majority of patients were diagnosed and treated in the Limpopo (2 834), Mpumalanga (2 276) and Gauteng (201).

The remaining provinces have reported single-figure incidences of the disease.

The prime cause of the cholera upsurge has been the contamination of water sources and food by cholera bacteria. Poor hygiene and sanitation practices have been contributing factors.

The spread of the infection from the north-east of the country has probably been caused by the migration of cholera carriers from affected areas, as well as by the lack of adequate water supplies and safe sanitation in certain areas.

Hogan said “While the Department of Health is making every effort to contain and stop the outbreak of the disease, the key task is to work with the relevant water authorities to ensure improved access to clean water, in some parts of our country, and in Zimbabwe.

"The Health Department regrets that, in some areas, the ambulance service has not been providing a timeous service to those in need.

"The matter is receiving attention."

Hogan said that to prevent the further spread of disease, as well as further loss of life, the Department of Health focused on the following:

* Has established a national cholera co-ordinating committee, with participation from relevant United Nations (UN) agencies, international and local non-governmental organisation (NGOs) and relevant government departments. This committee has developed and implemented a national plan of action for the control of cholera. This includes strengthening information, education and communication (IEC) programmes to ensure an enhanced focus on good hygiene practices (but it needs to also ensure that water and sanitation services are adequately provided).

* Has sent trained cholera outbreak response teams to help the provincial authorities in the worst affected districts in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

* Is working with National Treasury and the Limpopo Department of Health to secure additional funding for Limpopo to help it contain the disease.

* Is collaborating with other relevant departments to monitor water quality to ensure safe water supplies and sanitation.

* Has approached the private health sector in a bid to generate additional resources, including medical volunteers to help treat cholera victims.

* Has enlisted the help of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to review guidelines to ensure that it deals better with the current, and indeed any future cholera outbreak. These guidelines are being distributed to all provinces.

Hogan said “The Department of Health gratefully acknowledges the efforts of the Hospital Association of South Africa in setting up a cholera desk to assist with the response to the outbreak of the disease.”

The department wishes to reiterate its messages with respect to the control of the spread of cholera: hand washing, good sanitation practices, early presentation to health facilities for anyone with watery and loose stools and adequate hydration are keys to cholera control.

For more information contact:
Frew Benson
E-mail: bensonf@health.gov.za
Cell: 082 372 4199

Fidel Hadebe
E-mail: hadebef@health.gov.za
Cell: 079 517 3333

Ayesha Ismail
Cell: 079 498 2898

Issued by: Department of Health
25 January 2008