- Following reports of deaths as the result of cholera outbreaks, the Department of Water and Sanitation is deploying teams to deal with the incidents.
- Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed that a team was being sent to Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria.
- 12 people have died as a result, with many more being hospitalised.
This week has seen several reports of cholera outbreaks in parts of Gauteng, with the City of Tshwane and City of Ekurhuleni municipalities indicating several cases. The former noted that 12 people have died as a result of the water-spread bacterial disease, prompting the Department of Water and Sanitation to take further action.
To that end, Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed that teams were being sent to Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, in order to deal with the cholera outbreaks.
As reported by SA News, the technical teams that have been deployed will work with the national and provincial Health Departments and the City of Tshwane to assist with a number of matters. This includes an investigation into the water quality and identifying the causes of the cholera outbreaks.
“The department has been continuously carrying out water quality tests at the Temba Water Treatment Works and water distribution points in Hammanskraal,” the publication wrote.
“The latest tests indicate the water quality from the Temba Water Treatment Works does not meet minimum standards. However, water supplied by Magalies and Rand Water meet the drinking water quality standards. Therefore, the water quality challenges are in central Hammanskraal, which is supplied by the city,” added Mchunu in a statement.
While it remains to be seen how quickly this outbreak can be contained, along with what steps will be taken to improve the water quality in the area to prevent further cholera outbreaks, minister Mchunu said he is expected to meet with the Tshwane Mayor, Cilliers Brink, before 26th May to discuss and agree upon a plan moving forward.
In the interim, it looks like residents in the affected area will not be receiving water, with alternatives being made available.
“The Department had also directed the City to stop supplying water from the Temba Water Treatment
plant to residents of Hammanskraal for human consumption. The City is currently providing potable
water to affected communities that were initially supplied by the Temba Water Treatment Plant, through
deployment of water tankers,” Mchunu added.
Hammanskraal is not the only part of Gauteng being affected by cholera outbreaks, with Ekurhuleni also suffering. At the time of writing, the issue has not become as fatal as the one in Tshwane, but it is being actively monitored by authorities.
“The City of Ekurhuleni’s outbreak response teams are on high alert to respond to any cases of Cholera detected and to intensify health education to empower communities,” municipal spokesperson Zweli Dlamini confirmed.
With the number of cases currently sitting at 22, and expected to rise, the municipality is urging citizens to exercise caution.
“Members of the public are urged to avoid known or suspected contaminated food, water and surfaces, and wash hands thoroughly with soap before handling food or after using the bathroom to prevent possible infection. Never drink water from unsafe sources such as rivers, dams, streams, unless boiled or disinfected first,” it concluded.
[Image – Photo by Patrick Pahlke on Unsplash]
