Officials declare cholera outbreak

HAMMANS.RAA/ - Cholera outbreak has been declared in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, after the official number of deaths increased to .

*auteng department of health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba told Sowetan yesterday afternoon that the acute diarrhoeal disease was detected during tests conducted on stools of patients.

Modiba warned residents in Hammanskraal to refrain from drinking water that directly comes from the taps, adding that members of the public in the north of Pretoria township who e[perienced a stomachache should immediately present themselves to a health facility.

The department said since last Monday, patients from .anana, Suurman, MaManeng, and *reen )ield in Hammanskraal sought medical care at the -ubilee 'istrict Hospital after presenting with symptoms of diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and vomiting in the past few days. MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visited the hospital yesterday. Modiba said the provincial and district outbreak response teams had been dispatched to hospitals and the affected areas to “further investigate the source of the diarrhoeal disease and to raise awareness among communities”.

“Already, stool specimen has been collected from some of the affected people. The results are e[pected from the laboratory during the course of the weekend.

“The 2utbreak Response Teams remain on high alert, with advocacy and education work continuing especially targeting the immediately affected areas,” he said. City of Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba has urged communities in Hammanskraal and surrounding areas not to use water from taps for drinking purposes following a health outbreak in the area.