By Staff Reporter
POLOKWANE-This follows the confirmation that one of the 13 confirmed cholera cases in Gauteng is a Limpopo public servant who was in Gauteng for a training workshop.
The confirmed case is that of a 52-year-old male from Greater Giyani who works in the Musina area and is said to have travelled to Hammanskraal for a workshop during the past few days.
He was admitted to a hospital in Gauteng after presenting with the symptoms.
The Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba advises the public to remain vigilant.
“Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. People can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria” MEC Ramathuba said
“A number of cholera cases have already been confirmed in the area. Currently, we saw an outbreak of cholera cases in Hammaskraal with 10 deaths recorded. The Vhembe, Mopani and Waterberg response teams have been activated.”
According to the statement contact tracing at Giyani and Musina was done where screening results cleared everyone”
The department wishes to strongly request community members to practice general hygiene as well as water and food hygiene by;
-Washing of hands regularly and whenever coming from the toilet as well as before preparing food or using sanitiser where there is no water.
-boil or chlorinate water before drinking
Symptoms of cholera include profuse watery diarrhoea, sometimes described as “rice-water stools,” vomiting, thirst, leg cramps, restlessness, or irritability.
The infection is often mild or without symptoms but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening. Community members are advised to visit their nearest health facility for tests and treatment as soon as they experience these symptoms.
