381 new cholera cases in Mpumalanga

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Jan 24 2009 11:21

Mpumalanga has recorded 381 new cholera cases since noon on Thursday, the provincial health department said.

Spokesperson Mpho Gabashane said on Friday the new cases brought the total number of cases treated in the province to 2276 since the beginning of the cholera outbreak in November last year.

Nineteen people had died of the disease in the province.

Gabashane attributed the high number of cholera cases to the fact that all those showing symptoms of the disease were recorded as new cases, without first being tested to confirm that they had cholera. Most of them had been cured.

"Only a fraction of half the total number is still being treated," he said.

"There has been improvement in the area of Bushbuckridge due to the support received from community leaders and the municipality.

"We are now seeing an increase in Mbombela," he said, adding that plans were already under way to curb the spread in that area.

"We will continue doubling our efforts through education, because the best way to fight cholera is through creating awareness," Gabashane said.

He encouraged anyone who suspected they had cholera to visit their nearest health centre.

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Meanwhile, Limpopo reported 96 new cases on Friday, raising the total number of people suffering from cholera in that province to 2 834.

Ten people had died from cholera in that province. - Sapa

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