Four die after cholera outbreak

2008-06-30 15:49

Johannesburg - Four people have died following a cholera outbreak in Barberton, the Mpumalanga Health Department said on Monday.

"We discovered the outbreak of cholera on May 29, since then the confirmed number of cholera patients who received medical treatment has risen to 27 as of today (Monday). The number of deaths is at four," said spokesperson Mpho Gabashane.

Gabashane said currently there were 10 patients at Barberton Hospital and one had been confirmed with cholera.

"We are awaiting test results for the other nine."

Gabashane said the department had instructed its teams to heighten their surveillance and health promotion in the area.

"We are also on a daily basis testing all sources of water in the area and up to this point, all tap water is considered safe for human consumption."

The department had not identified any bacteria or organism that caused cholera in the streams around the area.

"We urge all the people to use safe tap water, and in cases where they may not have access, to boil their water at least for three minutes or add a teaspoon of bleach before use."

He said the situation was "under control" at the moment.

- SAPA