Mpumalanga confirms first cholera death
The Department of Health in Mpumalanga has confirmed its first case of cholera following the death of a 73-year-old woman.
The woman was from Phaphamang Section in Phake - Dr JS Moroka.
The department says she presented with symptoms, apparently after eating tinned fish and was admitted to Mmametlhake Hospital last Friday.
A cholera sample was taken and sent for laboratory testing.
“Although suffering from hypertension in addition to cholera, a test confirmed, she was positive. She died in hospital on 30 May,” says spokesperson Mandla Zwane.
The latest confirmed case brings the number of provinces affected to three; Gauteng, the Free State and now Mpumalanga.
The death toll stands at 25, of which 23 people passed away from the waterborne disease in Hammanskraal.
Residents believe that the poor quality of water in Hammanskraal is to blame for the outbreak, although the City of Tshwane is adamant that no cholera has been detected in the tap water.
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