Mystery disease kills 3 kids

2004-02-04 12:25

Jabu Mhlabane

Nelspruit - Three children are reported dead and hundreds more are critically ill in a suspected outbreak of either cholera or the highly contagious Rotavirus near Mpumalanga's capital, Nelspruit.

Government hospitals are reluctant to comment, but private sector doctors confirm they are treating up to 50 patients each per day for severe vomiting, high temperatures, profuse diarrhoea and dehydration.

Dr Bright Mabaso said he had personally certified two deaths and was aware of at least one other.

"This is the biggest outbreak of its kind that I've ever seen. Both the fatalities that I certified were children, and I'm sure there have been many more because this is a poor community where many of the victims are being kept at home," Mabaso said.

Themba and Rob Ferreira hospitals claimed not to have kept statistics for admissions of patients with cholera-like symptoms.

Nelspruit MediClinic confirms that it is currently treating six children with similar symptoms. Scores were treated and released over the weekend, said hospital spokesperson Robyn Freathy.

Cholera

Private doctors add that the first cases were reported last week Monday, with infection reaching a peak on the weekend. Mpumalanga's provincial health department was alerted to the outbreak last week Wednesday, but has yet to issue a public warning.

Doctors and provincial health authorities are meanwhile still uncertain what is causing the illness.

"The symptoms appear to indicate cholera, so we are testing all the local water supplies and are also conducting other environmental tests in collaboration with the Mbombela municipal council," says provincial health spokesperson, Dumisani Mlangeni.

Doctors are concerned that the majority of the victims are children.

"The symptoms are very similar to cholera, but the profile of patients is worrying. Why are so many children being infected?" said Dr Mabaso.

Local doctors speculate that the contagious Rotavirus may be responsible. Rotavirus is a viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract which can cause severe vomiting, high temperatures, profuse diarrhoea and dehydration.

Children most at risk

Infection is spread by physical contact with infected people, or with objects or food that are contaminated by the virus. It can also be spread through coughing and sneezing. Those infected can usually pass on the virus to others for about a week.

Children under five are most at risk, with children less than six months of age more likely to develop severe, rapid dehydration requiring hospital admission.

Adults are less commonly affected, but can pass on the virus to other children without demonstrating symptoms. Occasionally, Rotavirus can cause illness in parents and older siblings of infected children.

There is no known specific treatment or vaccine for Rotavirus gastroenteritis.

The symptoms usually start suddenly, 24 to 72 hours after contact with an infected person, and last four to six days.

- African Eye