Health dept confirms first death linked to cholera

The deceased, a 24-year-old man from Wattville in Benoni, has no prior domestic or international travel history.

"The patient presented with profuse watery diarrhoea and was admitted at Tambo Memorial Hospital. His results confirmed positive status and sadly he passed away a few days later,” says spokesperson Foster Mohale.

One of his contacts is still in hospital and further testing is being conducted.

The body of the man will be transported to KwaZulu-Natal for burial.

“Health officials will advise the bereaved family and undertakers of the safe burial precautions to prevent the spread of the disease."

Meanwhile, Mohale says the number of confirmed cases of the waterborne disease now stands at five.

Three cases were reported a 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."

Earlier this month, two sisters from Dieplsoot, who had travelled to Johannesburg from Malawi tested positive for cholera.

Malawi reported a cholera outbreak towards the end of last year, with more than 30,000 people infected since the first case was reported.

The death toll from the outbreak stands at more than 1 000.

Cholera mainly spreads through contaminated or polluted water, and outbreaks often occur in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to safe drinking water.

ALSO READ: