Sama warns of disease outbreaks amid KZN water shortages
Health experts are warning of a possible outbreak of diseases due to the water shortage in eThekwini.
Last week's heavy rains and floods damaged some crucial water infrastructure.
Damage to roads has also meant water trucks have been unable to reach cut-off communities.
Some desperate residents have been collecting water from exposed pipes.
Chairperson of the South African Medical Association Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa says enteric diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract could be the most common.
"Casing diarrhoea, abdominal pains, fever, loss of appetite leading to dehydration. Because you'll understand people are getting water from any source because of the scarcity of water at this time.
"Hence we urge government to be very proactive at this point in time, making sure that people have access to water resources."
Mzukwa says there are ways to combat the outbreaks.
"Avoid getting contaminated water, but if they do get water that they are not sure about, you need to boil that water, making sure that bacteria and all other infections are killed.
"[Get water] delivered from the municipality instead of them going out there and also avoid children playing in the puddles, as it may cause serious problems with the skin and also causing diarrhoea."
The provincial government says it's aware of the implications on people's health.
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala spoke about the issue during a prayer event following the floods.
"Disasters also come with health challenges, diseases that always emerge whether you talk of cholera and others. Therefore let's use all means to ensure that we avoid getting further diseases that will impact on us."
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