One person died of cholera, while five cases have been recorded in the country, the Department of Health has confirmed.

Health Minister Joe Phaahla said a 24-year-old man from Benoni in Gauteng died earlier this week shortly after being hospitalised at Tambo Memorial Hospital.

His was the fifth cholera case recorded in the country and he had no travel history, added Phaahla.

"One of his contacts is still in hospital and further investigation is being conducted.

"The body of the deceased will be transported to KwaZulu-Natal for burial, and health officials will advise the bereaved family and undertakers of safe burial precautions to prevent the spread of the disease."

The first two cases of cholera were recorded in two sisters who travelled to Malawi.

That country has been in the grip of a deadly outbreak, which led to more than 1 000 deaths in the last year.

The third case was recorded in the husband of one of the sisters - the first secondary transmitted case.

The fourth case was recorded in a 28-year-old man from Alexandra, who also had no travel history. He was admitted to Edenvale Hospital.

"The outbreak response team conducted a case investigation and visited the patient's residence and workplace the following day," he said.

Cholera mainly spreads through contaminated and polluted water, he added.

"People can become infected directly through drinking contaminated water, or indirectly through eating contaminated food."

Symptoms include diarrhoea, dehydration, vomiting and body weakness.

"Members of the public are reminded to maintain hand hygiene to prevent possible transmission. All people who experience cholera-like symptoms, with or without local or international travel history, are encouraged immediately visit their nearest health facility for screening and testing to ensure early detection and successful treatment," Phaahla said.