Issued by: SA Communication Service
Pretoria - Provincial health facilities throughout the country are on alert for a cholera outbreak and guidelines for managing a potential outbreak have been widely distributed, the Health Department's Communicable Diseases Control (CDC) directorate announced yesterday.
Dr Jayendra Maharaj, deputy director of CDC, speaking in the wake of 500 reported deaths from cholera in neighbouring Mozambique; said the spread of cholera moving southwards in the past months was a threat. "The possibility of an outbreak of cholera in South Africa does exist," he said.
However Dr Maharaj said no special measures were being implemented at ports of entry into South Africa since it was impossible to detect or prevent cholera infected people entering the country. International experience had shows that the spread of cholera could not be prevented through travel and trade restrictions between countries, he said. "Emphasis is placed on rapid detection and containment of the disease" he added.
Bacteriological surveillance was being carried out in sewers of the major cities to detect the cholera bacteria and laboratory facilities were prepared for confirming clinical diagnosis of cholera.
Public awareness campaigns have also been carried in the communities most at risk such as rural areas and informal settlements where safe water is not available.
In the past South Africa experienced a cholera epidemic between 1980 and 1985 with 25 110 cases and 346 deaths reported. This epidemic occurred along the east of KwaZulu-Natal and mostly in rural areas.
Five cases of cholera have been reported in South Africa from people who have visited Mozambique. Mozambique is at present experiencing a severe cholera epidemic and according to the health ministry there, 11 600 cases and 297 deaths due to cholera were recorded.
"No restrictions are being placed on South Africans intending to visit Mozambique, visitors to Mozambique are being advised to take the necessary precautionary measures to prevent contracting the disease," says Dr Maharaj.
These measures include drinking bottled water and consuming food from reliable sources. Raw fruits and vegetables should be washed properly with clean water and all other foods should be well cooked. Basic hygiene practices should also be followed after using the toilet and before preparing foods.
The Department of Health advises that any person with severe diarrhoea with watery stools resulting in rapid loss of body fluids should seek medical assistance immediately.
For more information contact Dr Jayendra Maharaj Tel 012 312 0094 Fax 012 323 8626