CHOLERA ALERT IN ALEXANDRA TOWNSHIP

Issued by: Department of Health

4 April 2001

The Gauteng Health Department is activating the Cholera Joint Operational Committee in the wake of the seeming Cholera outbreak in Alexandra Township, North East of Johannesburg.

In the last 4 days 2 persons from the same address and one from in the Alexandra died after showing symptoms of Cholera, one of them has been laboratory confirmed of having had cholera. Three further cases from the same address have been confirmed suffering from Cholera and are presently hospitalised in one provincial hospital. In the last 24 hours two additional cases from a house next to this address have also be hospitalised with symptoms of Cholera, these cases still has to be confirmed of being Cholera related. Two of the cases have recently visited rural cholera endemic areas of KwaZulu-Natal.

Since the first case of cholera was reported in Gauteng on 3/1/2001 to date there has been 51 confirmed cases and 4 deaths. At the moment there is not danger to the community of Alexandra. However, the Joint Operational Response Committee, comprised of team from Gauteng Health Department and Local government is presently visiting Alexandra to investigate how Cholera infection occurred in the area.

Once again the Department appeals to the community of Alexandra, and all other communities who reside in high-risk areas to adhere to basic hygienic standards.

• Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by a bacterium (Vibrio) Cholera), which causes the sudden onset of severe diarrhoea (with some vomiting). The resultant loss of fluid and lead to death from dehydration. In severe untreated cases death moccur with hours, particularly in children.
• If adequate rehydration is done, the mortality should be less than 1%.
• Cholera is usually transmitted when water, contaminated with the stools or vomit of patients or even asymptomatic carries is swallowed, or by eating food which has been contaminated by dirty water, faeces, dirty hands or flies, food or hands.
• Cholera is now endemic in South Africa. The bacteria exist in our water systems, rivers and estuaries. The organism can exist for many years in water and, in certain circumstances, will cause epidemics. Epidemics usually occur when large numbers if pee become exposed to the infected water. The usually occurs in areas with poor access to clean water and poor sanitation.
• It is unlikely that a large epidemic will occur in Gauteng. However, 32% of the population in this Province does not have access to piped water and is therefore at risk.
• In certain communities such as Alexandra it is possible for the disease to spread.

Early diagnosis of patients and access to rehydration and appropriate medical treatment has been proven to minimise the death rate.

Released by the Gauteng Health Department
Directorate of Communications

For more information, please contact:
Hope Huma
Media Liaison Office to the MEC
Tell: (011) 355-3543
Cell: 082-555-2302

OR

Popo Maja
Head of Communications
Tell: (011) 355-3212
Cell: 082-373-1169