The cholera outbreak claims second life in Free State, as the death toll reaches 32, prompting health officials to stress the importance of reliable information and public vigilance in the affected areas. Image: Freepik/Aleksandarlittlewolf
Free State records second cholera fatality, pushing death toll to 32
The death toll from cholera in South Africa is up to 32 after a second fatality was recorded in the Free State on Thursday.
The cholera outbreak claims second life in Free State, as the death toll reaches 32, prompting health officials to stress the importance of reliable information and public vigilance in the affected areas. Image: Freepik/Aleksandarlittlewolf
A second person is confirmed to have died of cholera in the Free State, the provincial health department announced on Thursday, pushing the death toll in the country to 32.
SECOND CHOLERA DEATH IN FREE STATE
The patient, a 42-year-old woman from Parys, was admitted to the Boitumelo Hospital in Kroonstad and died. Laboratory results later confirmed that her death was due to cholera.
Free State Health officials visited the family on Thursday to break the news. “The Department would like to take this opportunity to urge the public to believe information about causes of death that are confirmed by laboratory tests and not opinions that are not scientifically supported by facts,” said the department.
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Members of the public in affected areas are urged to continue thoroughly washing their hands and boil water before consuming it. Urgent medical attention must be sought if there are any “slight symptoms” of cholera.
DEATH TOLL
With the latest death, 29 people have succumbed to cholera in Gauteng, two in the Free State and one in Mpumalanga.
The Kanana Cholera Treatment Centre was established in Hammanskraal, Tshwane – the epicentre of the outbreak.
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The National Health Department said the temporary field hospital has relieved the pressure on Jubilee Hospital, and improved health-seeking behaviour among people in the affected area.
“Over 200 people have been seen at this makeshift hospital. The facility has been operating 24/7 since 26 May,” said spokesperson Foster Mohale.
