The National Health Department has commenced the process of contact tracing, after a 3rd imported cholera case has been detected…this time in Durban.

A 24-year-old man tested positive on Monday, 24 July, after travelling from Karachi, in Pakistan. The previous 2 imported cases were from Malawi.

It’s understood the patient arrived in the country on the 16th of July from Pakistan which is known to be cholera endemic, where he experienced abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms after a meal on the 14th of July. He has since been discharged, and is recovering at home.

Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla calls for continued vigilance as the country records another imported laboratory-confirmed case of cholera from a 24 year old South African man with travel history from Karachi in Pakistan.https://t.co/pN0mVPeyEk pic.twitter.com/WS053lKNuS

— Department of Health (@HealthZA) July 25, 2023

Health officials are now calling for continued vigilance. This brings the total number of cases recorded since February to 199. The department’s Foster Mohale explains:

“The outbreak response team has effected contact tracing. They’ve identified 4 family members and 1 friend he stayed with while in Pakistan. None of the contacts identified are presenting with cholera symptoms and are on continuous close monitoring. On the other hand, water samples were collected from the patient`s place of residence and taken for laboratory testing at the National Health Laboratory Service,” says Mohale.

“SITUATION UNDER CONTROL”

The Health Department maintains the situation is being dealt with.

“While the situation is under control from the recent cholera outbreak in some parts of the country, Minister Phaahla urges the public to stay alert and maintain high level of personal hygiene at all times to prevent possible transmission of waterborne and foodborne diseases,” adds Mohale.

READ MORE: Mpumalanga Confirms First Cholera Death