By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla has confirmed the third positive imported cholera case that was identified in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
He reported that he had diarrhoea, but did not immediately seek medical attention while in Pakistan, and he only rehydrated himself using bottled water because he didn’t suspect any foodborne illness,” said Phaahla in a statement.
“On his arrival through King Shaka International Airport, he felt dehydrated and was taken to a Private Hospital in Durban to seek medical help and he was then admitted on the 18th of July while his specimen was sent to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) for laboratory testing.”
The results came back positive with cholera toxin on Monday, 24 July 2023. He has been discharged and is recovering well at home.
The outbreak response team has since identified four family members and a friend he stayed with while Pakistan.
None of the contacts identified is presenting with cholera symptoms and are on continuous close monitoring.
The country has now recorded three imported cholera cases this year, with two other cases detected from two people who travelled from Malawi.
The country has recorded a total cumulative number of 199 laboratory-confirmed cases since February.
Earlier this month, the health department announced that the number of people who have died due to the cholera outbreak in South Africa, had risen to 47.
Gauteng accounted for 35 deaths of the official toll, the Free State six, Mpumalanga two and Limpopo four.