By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng health department warned undertakers and grieving families to handle the mortal remains of those who passed from cholera with care.
A total of 44 laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera have been seen at Jubilee District Hospital, the Gauteng health department said in an update on the outbreak in the Hammanskraal area.
By 6pm on Thursday, 203 patients had been seen at the hospital, including 22 patients who have been transferred to other health facilities in Tshwane.
There are 74 patients admitted for treatment due to gastrointestinal infection.
On Thursday, the Free State reported its first cholera death while Gauteng fatalities rose to 21.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection characterised, in its severe form, by extreme watery diarrhoea and potentially fatal dehydration. Most cholera infections are, however, asymptomatic or mild.
Contaminated water or food are the main drivers of infection, but person-to-person transmission is a contributor.
Drinking water that has been contaminated at its source or during storage can result in infections.
Foods and vegetables exposed to fertiliser or water that contains human excretions can also cause infections.
Gauteng health spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba warns that bodies of patients who died from cholera can still transit the cholera.
Mortuary workers have been urged to abide by existing rules and to wear personal protective equipment.
“Hand washing with soap is encouraged and water needs to be done after touching all bodies.
All bodies should be transported using a body bag. Human remains should be handled with regulation R363. Transport vehicles should be cleaned and disinfected,” says Modiba.
Those attending funerals are also encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly, including those preparing the food, to avoid mass infection.
Modiba urged family members to abandon some of their rituals.
“Family members should not touch or kiss the body of the deceased. Clothes or linen of the person who died of cholera should be washed in boiling hot water and soap and dried in direct sunlight to kill of the bacteria.
“Washing hands in the same bowl is discouraged. Hand washing should be practised at all times,” says Modiba.
Meanwhile Head of the UN in South Africa, Nelson Muffuh says they are working with the government to bring relief to affected communities and prevent a further deterioration of the situation.
The United Nations says it’s preparing resources to aid South Africa’s efforts to combat the current cholera outbreak.
“The UN in South Africa has effectively started mobilising technical and material resources in response to the cholera outbreak.
“Of course, particularly focusing on the provinces of Gauteng and Free State where the disease has been identified and is intensifying.”