By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng Health Department has confirmed seven people have died in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, after being admitted to hospital with diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting.
The Department expressed concern about the number of people presenting with diarrhoeal disease, which is a common and often highly infectious condition that affects the stomach and intestines.
The disease is a leading cause of child mortality and morbidity worldwide and mainly spreads by contact with an infected person or through contaminated food and drinking water sources.
Since Monday, 67 people from Kanana, Suurman, Majaneng and Green Field in Hammanskraal have presented at Jubilee District Hospital with symptoms of diarrhea, stomach cramps and vomiting which led to seven of them dying.
The health department said provincial and district outbreak response teams were dispatched to the hospital and the affected areas on Saturday to 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 expected from the laboratory during the course of the weekend,” the department said in a statement.
“The Outbreak Response Teams remain on high alert with advocacy and education work continuing especially targeting the immediately affected areas.”
Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko is expected on Sunday to visit Jubilee District Hospital in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria.
MEC is visiting the hospital after expressing concern about the number of people presenting with diarrhoeal disease.
The Department has since called on the public to take extra precautionary measures and maintain proper hand hygiene.