2023—2024 cholera outbreak in South Africa explained

2023-2024 South African cholera outbreak
Disease:Cholera
Virus Strain:Vibrio cholerae
Location:South Africa
Dates:1 February 2023 – present
Suspected Cases:1499 (or 1395)
Deaths:47
Fatality Rate:3.4
Source:Introduced into the country

On 1 February, 2023, a cholera outbreak began in South Africa.[1] [2] As of 3 March 2024, 1395 cases had been reported.

Background

The South African outbreak is thought to originate from two sisters that introduced it into the country after visiting Chinsapo (Lilongwe) in Malawi.[3] The initial cases were isolated to Gauteng.[4] As of 21 January 2024, 1499 (or 1395)[5] new suspected cholera cases were reported across all 9 provinces.[6]

Timeline

The first cases of cholera were reported on 1 February 2023.

In May, the Gauteng province health department declared an outbreak in Hammanskraal.[7] Fifteen deaths and 41 cases had been recorded as of May 22. Residents blamed the local government for failing to provide adequate potable water.[8]

By July 10, nearly 50 deaths had been recorded,[9] most of which occurred in Hammanskraal.

On 16 January 2024, the health ministry confirmed two cases through laboratory tests in Limpopo province.[10]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-08-26 . Rapid response ends cholera outbreak . 2023-10-23 . WHO Regional Office for Africa . en.
  2. Web site: 2023-06-26 . Cholera death toll in SA rises to 43 - South Africa ReliefWeb . 2023-10-23 . reliefweb.int . en.
  3. Web site: Lawal . Shola . What's fuelling the deadly cholera outbreak in Southern Africa? . 2024-03-26 . Al Jazeera . en.
  4. Smith . Anthony M. . Sekwadi . Phuti . Erasmus . Linda K. . Lee . Christine C. . Stroika . Steven G. . Ndzabandzaba . Sinenhlanhla . Alex . Vinitha . Nel . Jeremy . Njamkepo . Elisabeth . Thomas . Juno . Weill . François-Xavier . 2023-08-01 . Imported Cholera Cases, South Africa, 2023 . Emerging Infectious Diseases . 29 . 8 . 1687–1690 . 10.3201/eid2908.230750 . 1080-6040 . 10370840 . 37352549.
  5. Web site: Cholera in the WHO African Region - Weekly Regional Cholera Bulletin: 4 March 2024 .
  6. Web site: South Africa reports new Cholera cases - Gauteng Provincial Government . 2024-03-26 . www.gauteng.gov.za.
  7. News: Schenck . Catherine . 2023-05-23 . South Africans blame city as cholera cases rise . en . Reuters . 2023-10-23.
  8. News: Plessis . Carien du . 2023-05-25 . South Africa cholera outbreak re-ignites anger over service delivery . en . Reuters . 2023-10-23.
  9. Web site: 2023-07-10 . Nearly 50 Cholera Deaths Reported in South Africa . 2023-10-23 . VOA . en.
  10. Web site: apofeed . 2024-01-16 . South Africa: Travellers urged to be vigilant following detection of cholera in Limpopo . 2024-01-20 . African Business . en-GB.

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