JOHANNESBURG: An outbreak of cholera near South Africa’s capital of Pretoria has resulted in the death of at least 10 people, according to health authorities on Sunday.
The Department of Health in Pretoria’s Gauteng province reported that since Monday, 95 individuals sought medical attention at a local hospital, displaying symptoms of cholera such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea.
Confirmatory laboratory tests conducted on Sunday identified 19 cases of cholera, with 37 people still undergoing treatment, as stated in a departmental statement. Among the victims were nine adults and a three-year-old child. To address the outbreak, additional medical staff, including doctors and nurses, are being mobilized, particularly in Hammanskraal, an area north of Pretoria, where the outbreak is centered.
Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, the provincial head for health, emphasized the importance of public vigilance and urged individuals to avoid consuming known or suspected contaminated food, water, or surfaces. It is crucial to thoroughly wash hands with soap before handling food or after using the bathroom.
Bacterium causes Cholera
Cholera is caused by a bacterium typically transmitted through contaminated food or water. As a precautionary measure, the city of Pretoria advised residents of Hammanskraal and surrounding areas against consuming tap water and stated that water tankers were being provided.
Although cholera is not endemic in South Africa, the country has reported a few cases this year, likely linked to outbreaks in neighboring Malawi and Mozambique, which were the most heavily affected countries in 2023, according to the United Nations.
The global incidence of cholera has seen a resurgence since 2021 after a decade of steady decline, with the UN warning this week that one billion people across 43 countries are at risk. The World Health Organization attributes the rise in cases worldwide to factors such as poverty, conflict, and climate change.
