At least 15 people have died so far after the Gauteng Department of Health confirmed a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal over the weekend.

This comes after lab results of stool specimen of 19 people who presented at Jubilee District Hospital with symptoms of diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea confirmed that it is cholera.

Since Monday, 15 May 2023 to date, 95 people from Kanana, Suurman, Majaneng, Green Field, Carousel View, Lephengville and Sekampaneng have been seen at the hospital with similar symptoms.

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, yesterday visited the hospital together with the City of Tshwane MMC for Health, Rina Marx to be updated on the situation and immediately intervene in terms of increasing response capacity at Jubilee Hospital.

The MEC said that the Department has made available two additional wards to accommodate patients who could not be immediately admitted on arrival at Jubilee Hospital.

“We have also mobilised additional resources which include medical and nursing staff from surrounding hospitals and local clinics to improve capacity for the growing need for medical care. Furthermore, additional linen has been delivered from the provincial laundry to activate the extra beds.”

The provincial, district and municipality outbreak response teams continue to do work advocacy work to raise awareness among communities. The teams have conducted engaged with churches, local training institutions and and various media platforms, as well as loud hailing in the affected areas.

The MEC has urged the public to take extra precautionary measures and maintain proper hand- hygiene.

“We would like to reiterate and urge the public to avoid known or suspected contaminated food, water and surfaces and wash hands thoroughly with soap before handling food or after using the bathroom to prevent possible infection.”

People are also urged to avoid drinking water from unsafe sources such as rivers, dams, streams, unless boiled or disinfected.

In addition, the City of Tshwane has issued a notice urging communities of Hammanskraal not to drink tap water and has supplied water tankers to the hospital and surrounding communities.

The Department has also engaged with the National departments of Water and Sanitation and Human Settlements to add additional capacity to support the municipality with water infrastructure and related issues.

The public is advised to report to their nearest health facilities when they present with symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and dehydration symptoms, so they can receive treatment.

South Africa first reported the presence of cholera in early February this year, when health authorities recorded two laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera imported from Malawi.

ALSO READ: First Cholera death reported in South Africa

Cholera prevention methods #CholeraOutbreak #AsibeHealthyGP pic.twitter.com/CwLVrKE2ks

— Gauteng Health (@GautengHealth) May 21, 2023