Cholera

The Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla, has called for vigilance after the country recorded two laboratory-confirmed cases of Cholera imported from Malawi.

"South Africa is not endemic for Cholera, and the last outbreak was in 2008/9 with about 12 000 cases. The port health officials at the ports of entry will remain on alert for travellers arriving from countries experiencing a Cholera outbreak. Laboratory test results are pending and the follow-up of close contacts is ongoing.

The minister of health said that the department was working closely with the Gauteng province, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and World ...

People are urged to ensure proper hand-hygiene which includes thorough washing of hands with water and soap before and after using the bathroom or toilet, and preparing or eating food. Of the rate of cholera in the country, Phaahla said South Africa was not endemic for the disease, with the last outbreak reported in 2008 and 2009 with about 12 000 cases. "Although, cholera is often predictable and preventable.

MEC for health & wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the outbreak response team has been activated to increase surveillance efforts. “The Gauteng department of ...

If left untreated, severe dehydration can lead to shock, coma and death within hours,” the CDC said. The department will follow up with these contacts for five days as part of the standard protocol. Two sisters who had travelled together from Malawi returned to Johannesburg with symptoms.

South Africa confirmed that two of its cholera cases were imported from Malawi, where a cholera outbreak led to more than 1000 deaths as of January.

[health department](https://www.foxnews.com/health) said in a statement. The last outbreak in the country was in 2008/2009 when about 12,000 cases were reported following an outbreak in neighbouring Zimbabwe which led to a surge of imported cases and subsequent local transmission. [South Africa](https://www.foxnews.com/category/world/south-africa), the health department said.

Health minister Joe Phaahla has called for vigilance after South Africa recorded possible cholera cases "imported" from Malawi.

Laboratory test results are pending and follow-up of close contacts is ongoing, the department said. A household family member of one sister was admitted to hospital on February 4 with diarrhoea and dehydration, and is considered a possible case. The health department said one patient presented to a local clinic and was admitted to hospital.

Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla says the country is not at high risk of a cholera outbreak as South Africa does not share an immediate border with Malawi.

The WHO said it does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions on countries based on current available information in line with the international health regulations. As it was a long-distance trip they could be affected by the provision of food and water,” explained Phaahla. He said if the bus had ablution facilities there might have been some contamination there. Most persons infected with cholera will experience mild illness or not feel ill. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening,” he said. This comes after the country recorded two laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera imported from Malawi.