Cholera under control - Red Cross

2008-11-25 13:21

Johannesburg - There are hopes that Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak, which has spilled over into South Africa, may be under control, the International Federation of the Red Cross said on Tuesday.

"There is a sense among the organisations there that the outbreak is under control," said the federation's communication manager Matthew Cochran.

"But that is not to say that there is any sense of complacency," Cochrane said, adding that the disease could flare up again at any time.

Limpopo health spokesperson Phuti Seloba expected to have an update on the number of cases on Tuesday, but Cochrane said that the federation's information was that 167 people had been admitted and treated by Monday, with three people dead.

Cross-border assistance

Seloba said that there were a number of cross-border assistance measures planned, after a meeting between Zimbabwean and South African government officials, but it would be "against our culture" to discuss what they are.

The Limpopo branch of the Democratic Nurses' Organisation of South Africa expressed concern about the added workload, but Seloba said at the moment the department's focus was on controlling the outbreak.

A group of retired statesmen known as the elders has warned that the cholera will exacerbate the already difficult humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe.

An information campaign is also underway to inform Zimbabweans of the treatment that is available and to help disseminate messages about hygiene so that people are empowered about how to protect themselves.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said other isolated cases in South Africa - one death in Durban and a few cases in Gauteng - were all linked to the Zimbabwe outbreak.

"However, there are communities in South Africa vulnerable to the introduction of cholera and South African health facilities have been placed on the alert," it said.

What is cholera?

According to the NICD, cholera is an infection of the intestine caused by waterborne bacteria which causes acute watery diarrhoea.

At risk of contracting it are people using untreated water from rivers, streams, bore-holes and wells.

It is spread by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the bacteria. It gets into the food and water by an infected person defecating into a water source or handling food. Communities using untreated water for drinking or washing of eating utensils are particularly at risk

Water that is not treated properly also poses a risk.

Symptom include the sudden onset of severe, painless watery diarrhoea - in some cases 'rice-water' in appearance, vomiting early in the illness and dehydration.

To prevent the spread use clean or disinfected water for drinking and washing food and utensils, wash hands with clean or disinfected water before and after handling food, and after using the bathroom.

Human waste should be disposed of in a manner that does not contaminate water sources and food should be stored under hygienic conditions.

To disinfect water: mix a teaspoon or capful of household bleach with 20-25 litres of water and let it stand for at least two hours, preferably overnight.

Treatment of mild cases is with oral rehydration fluid, but severe cases require hospitalisation.

- SAPA