South African health authorities have sounded the alarm following the detection of new cases of cholera in recent days, while the search for possible contacts of infected people continues.
“Teams from the Ministry of Health have identified 150 people in the locality of Benoni, east of Johannesburg, who were in contact with the cholera cases recorded in the country, including the man who died last week”department spokesman Foster Mohale said Monday.
At the beginning of February, the South African authorities had reported the detection of two cases of cholera in the province of Gauteng, the most populous in the country, calling on the populations to be more vigilant by observing the necessary hygiene measures.
According to Health Minister Joe Phaahla, the cases involved have been traced to two sisters residing in the city of Johannesburg who recently traveled to Malawi, where there is an outbreak of cholera.
While five infections have since been confirmed, the health department has warned there may be more cases of cholera in South Africa pending lab test results for two more people who show symptoms of the disease. .
The ministry spokesman noted that the two suspected cases have been transferred to hospital to receive the necessary treatment, while further tests will be carried out to verify if it is indeed cholera.
He added that contact tracing teams are still investigating the affected areas, suggesting there might be local transmission since a link between the five confirmed cases is highly likely.
The last cholera epidemic in South Africa dates back to 2008, with more than 12,000 cases and around 60 deaths.
Last September, the WHO reported a “worrying upsurge” of cholera in the world, following years of decline, with climate change adding to the usual factors such as poverty and conflict.
The disease affects between 1.3 million and 4 million people on the planet every year, causing up to 143,000 deaths. (With MAP)