The NICD Declares Cholera Outbreak in Gauteng!!

This is an illustration of a drop of water that is contaminated with bacteria that causes Cholera 

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When six cases and one fatality were confirmed in Gauteng, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases declared a cholera epidemic. Two instances are particularly concerning since their histories indicate that they were affected locally.

Cholera, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, is caused by a bacteria that is often spread by contaminated food or water.

The NICD cautioned that there was a continuing possibility of cases being imported from other African nations suffering cholera epidemics (especially Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe).



With the outbreak, there had been posts on social media making rounds that the Gauteng Department of Health mentioned that the Gauteng tap water was unsafe for consumption.


However, the accused party released a statement on Wednesday rebuking the allegations. The statement said: "Water in South Africa is generally safe to drink and cook with when taken from taps. The country’s national water quality standard lives up to the World Health Organization-set standards"

In other news reports by The Guardian Nigeria, World Health Organization director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the media two weeks ago that 23 countries were suffering cholera epidemics, with a further 20 countries sharing land borders at risk.

According to the Daily Maverick, Dr. Juno Thomas, director of the NICD's Institute for Enteric Diseases, stated that extreme weather events (droughts and flooding) increased the probability of cholera epidemics. Several outbreaks worldwide have occurred as a result of harsh weather events in the last two years.



"The risk is particularly high in communities that do not have reliable access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene. An important local example was the cholera outbreak of 2008-2009,” she said


"However, the initial cases were directly linked to the outbreak in neighbouring Zimbabwe, and people were crossing the border to seek healthcare. Shortly afterward, cholera was introduced into rivers and other untreated water systems in Mpumalanga and struck communities that did not have access to safe (treated) water"


"The first step in preventing an outbreak is to have robust public health surveillance and laboratory systems so that cholera cases can be detected rapidly"


Dr. Thomas added "Awareness of the disease among healthcare professionals is also essential so that the correct tests are done and cases of cholera aren’t missed"


Could the Gauteng water be unsafe for immediate consumption?