Health Dept confirms four new cholera cases in SA

The department said on Wednesday evening that the patients number seven and eight are a couple from Diepsloot who were admitted at Helen Joseph Hospital on Tuesday last week with acute watery diarrhoea and severe dehydration.

Case number nine is a 10-year-old girl from Katlehong who presented with diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting at Mpilweni Private Hospital two weeks ago.

Case number 10 is a 50-year-old woman also living in Diepsloot.

Health spokesperson Foster Mohale says case number seven, eight and ten are linked to the baptism ceremony in the Jukskei River early this month.

“During the investigation, both the wife and husband mentioned being baptised at Jukskei River, with additional six people on 18 March 2023, and they experienced health complications few days later.

“The 50-year-old woman is the pastor who baptised the couple who tested positive from Diepsloot at Jukskei River, and she also drank the same water from the river.”

Mohale says they suspect the Jukskei and Klip rivers to be source of local cholera infections. 

“All four patients have no recent international travel history, which suggests a strong possibility of local transmission or infection. All four patients are recovering at home and are in a stable condition.

“Residents are urged to avoid drinking or using untreated water from flowing rivers and dams to prepare food.”

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