By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said the province has registered two cases of cholera. Sambatha said the laboratory cases are of two men aged 38 and 68 respectively.
“These cases were confirmed at Madibeng and Moretele Local Municipalities. Both patients presented with vomiting and diarrhoea, which are symptoms of cholera. The department urges the public not to panic as cholera is preventable and curable. All people who experience cholera symptoms, with or without local or international travel history are advised to visit their nearest health facility.
“Cholera is a diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Individuals generally become ill 12 – 48 hours after exposure. Some of the common symptoms include diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting and low-grade fever,” he said.
Sambatha further said, among people who develop symptoms, the majority have mild or moderate symptoms, while a minority develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration. He added that this can lead to death if left untreated.
“The department would further like to urge the public to take extra precautionary measures and maintain proper hand hygiene as the country experience an outbreak of diarrhoea disease or gastrointestinal infection, and the rising number of laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera,” said Sambatha.
The Guardian 