Cholera death toll in South Africa rises to 23
On May 21, South Africa's health ministry declared a cholera outbreak after stool tests from 19 affected individuals turned positive.
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Violett Motta, a health surveillance assistant in Malawi, mixes chlorine with water to disinfect it at a health centre in response to the latest cholera outbreak in Blantyre, Malawi, November 16, 2022. (Reuters)
The Department of Health of the northern Gauteng province said on Sunday that the death toll from the cholera outbreak in South Africa has risen to 23, with a total of 48 laboratory-confirmed cases.
"The number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Cholera... is standing at 48. To date, 23 people have unfortunately passed on from the disease outbreak," the statement read.
Earlier this week, the death toll was registered at 12.
@WHOSouthAfrica, the @UNinSouthAfrica family & partners continue to support the @HealthZA to effectively tackle the #CholeraOutbreak.
— WHO South Africa (@WHOSouthAfrica) May 27, 2023
💡Get to know more about cholera & how best to prevent it 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/HA3LL1dW3k
On May 21, South Africa's health ministry declared a cholera outbreak after stool tests from 19 affected individuals turned positive.
The ministry called on civilians to maintain good hygiene and report symptoms of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps, and dehydration to nearby health facilities.
Hundreds of people have died from the illness in Malawi and Mozambique this year, and a limited number of cases had previously been documented in South Africa. Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by a virus that spreads in unsanitary conditions.
Read more: Cholera resurges in Syria post-earthquake
