MEDIA STATEMENT
To: Health Editors & Journalists
Issued by: Departments of Health
Date: Sunday, 05 February 2023
Statement by Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla on the detection of
Cholera cases in South Africa
Pretoria: The Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla calls for vigilance as the country
records two laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera imported from Malawi. The cases
are sisters who had travelled together from Johannesburg to Malawi to attend a funeral
service, and returned by bus on 30 January 2023. Both patients had developed
symptoms on their return to Johannesburg.
One patient presented to a local clinic and was then admitted to hospital. During the
case investigation and follow-up of close contacts, the sister reported that she also
developed diarrhoea whilst travelling back from Malawi but it resolved within a day and
she did not seek health care.
A close contact (household family member) of one of the cases/patients was admitted
to hospital on 4 February with diarrhoea and dehydration, and is considered a possible
case. Laboratory test results are pending and follow-up of close contacts is ongoing.
Cholera is an acute enteric infection caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, and the
outbreaks usually occur in settings with inadequate sanitation and insufficient access
to safe drinking water. Cholera typically causes acute watery diarrhoea and can affect
people of all ages.
It mainly spreads through contaminated/polluted water. People can become infected
directly through drinking contaminated water, or indirectly through eating
contaminated food. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can
sometimes be severe and life-threatening.
Symptoms ranges from mild to severe and watery diarrhoea and dehydration. The
incubation period (the period from when the person ingests cholera-contaminated
water/food to when they first become ill) ranges from few hours to 5 days, usually 2 to
3 days. Most persons infected with cholera will experience mild illness or not feel ill.
Although, cholera is often predictable and preventable. People are urged to ensure
proper hand-hygiene which includes thorough washing of hands with water and soap
before and after using the bathroom/toilet, and preparing or eating food. The use of
only safe or disinfected water for preparing food, beverages and ice is recommended
to prevent possible cholera transmission include. Safe disposal of human excrement
and nappies is recommended.
The department is working closely with the affected province, the National Institute for
Communicable Diseases and World Health Organization to closely monitor the
situation. All people experiencing symptoms such as diarrhoea and dehydration, with
or without travel history to cholera outbreak countries are urged to report at their
nearest health facilities for health screening and early detection.
The World Health Organization does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions
on countries based current available information in line with the international health
regulations. The port health officials at the ports of entry (especially land and air) will
remain on alert for travellers arriving from countries experiencing cholera outbreak.
South Africa is not endemic for cholera, and the last outbreak was in 2008/9 with about
12 000 cases. That resulted from an outbreak in Zimbabwe which led to surge of
imported cases and subsequent local transmission in Mpumalanga and Limpopo
provinces through contaminated water.
For more information and media enquiries, please contact:
Mr Foster Mohale
Health Departmental Spokesperson
0724323792
Foster.mohale@health.gov.za
Mr Doctor Tshwale
Spokesperson for Health Minister
063 657 8487
Doctor.Tshwale@health.gov.za
https://www.health.gov.za/wp-conten...etection-of-Cholera-cases-in-South-Africa.pdf
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MEDIA STATEMENT
To: Health Editors & Journalists
Issued by: Departments of Health
Date: Thursday, 23 February 2023
Health Minister announces first Cholera death, as more cases detected in
South Africa
Pretoria: The Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla announces the first death linked to
the recent cases of cholera detected in South Africa, as the number of laboratory
confirmed-cases rises to five. This follows an announcement of three cases few weeks
ago.
The 4th case is a 28-year-old male residing in Alexandra Township with no local or
international travel history. The patient presented himself at the Edenvale Hospital
Emergency Centre with a four-day history of diarrhoea, vomiting and body weakness.
A specimen was collected for testing and the patient was not admitted at the hospital
but managed as an outpatient and given treatment to take home, and requested to
return for his results which came back positive. The outbreak response team
conducted a case investigation visited the patient’s residence and workplace the
following day.
The 5th case is a 24-year-old male residing in Emandleni Wattville, Benoni in
Ekurhuleni with no travel history. The patient presented with profuse watery diarrhea
and was admitted at Tambo Memorial Hospital. His results confirmed positive status
and sadly he passed away few days later. 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 the safe burial precautions
to prevent the spread of the disease.
Cholera mainly spreads through contaminated/polluted water. People can become
infected directly through drinking contaminated water, or indirectly through eating
contaminated food. Symptoms includes 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, if test
positive.
https://www.health.gov.za/wp-conten...-to-five-in-South-Africa-23-February-2023.pdf
