By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Health minister Joe Phaahla has confirmed the first death linked to outbreak of diphtheria at the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre in the Western Cape.
The 19 year-old inmate presented diphtheria symptoms on 28 October.
Throat swabs collected from the man came back positive five days later, after which his health deteriorated.
Diphtheria is a disease caused by bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheria.
The bacterium usually affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, causing respiratory and skin infections.
Public health measures have since been undertaken to bring the outbreak under control. These include contact tracing of inmates, correctional services staff, consulting healthcare workers and emergency services personnel.
Phaahla says contact tracing of inmates, Correctional Services staff, consulting healthcare workers and emergency services personnel is underway.
“More tests were conducted with the 55 identified close contacts and the results of 8 inmates tested positive for diphtheria, two of them presenting with mild symptoms and the other six are asymptomatic.
“All patients fall within the age group of 18 to 23 years old, immediate contacts of the patients and the deceased have been put in isolation from the rest of the correctional centre section to prevent further spread of the disease.”
Phaahla says two staffers displayed symptoms and have received treatment whilst waiting for their laboratory test results.
A vaccination campaign is also underway.
“Two laboratory-confirmed cases of diphtheria disease were recorded earlier in the year from an adult in KwaZulu-Natal and a child in the Western Cape, “Phaahla added.
Healthcare workers are urged to maintain a high index of suspicion in order to ensure that cases are detected early, while all individuals are reminded of the importance of ensuring that they and their families are up-to-date with their vaccinations.
In South Africa, diphtheria-containing vaccine is offered to all children free of charge in public sector facilities at six, 10 and 14 weeks and 18 months as one component of the hexavalent jab.
“Booster doses are offered at six and 12 years, and to all Grade 5 learners in public schools during the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign.”