Everything you need to know about the typhoid fever outbreak in SA

Photo: Stock/Canva

Everything you need to know about the typhoid fever outbreak in SA

By now, you must be wondering whether they are simply suffering from a tummy bug or typhoid fever after several cases were reported.

Everything you need to know about the typhoid fever outbreak in SA

Photo: Stock/Canva

With more than 50 cases of typhoid fever reported last week, South Africans must be wondering whether they are simply suffering from a tummy bug or typhoid fever. 

NICD WARNED ABOUT FALSE INFORMATION

Typhoid fever or enteric fever is regularly found in South Africa, with case numbers rising each year. It is spread through hand-to-mouth transmission from contaminated water, food, and surfaces. Poor hand hygiene by the infected person is also a common mode of transmission.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said on Thursday that if you are concerned about the quality of water you are using for drinking and cooking, then it is recommended to treat the water first.

“There are numerous social media posts with false information about enteric fever in South Africa that are attracting widespread attention and causing needless concern and panic at the moment.”

NO EVIDENCE THAT TYPHOID FEVER ARE LINKED TO MUNICIPAL WATER

But the NICD did make it VERY clear that there is no evidence that recent cases of enteric fever are linked to contaminated municipal water in any part of the country, and there is no evidence that the bacteria causing typhoid fever have recently been identified in municipal water sources anywhere in the country.

This comes after NICD announced a typhoid fever outbreak in the Western Cape and the North West last week. The NICD said it had identified four cluster outbreaks of typhoid – one in the North West and three in the Western Cape.

As of Sunday in the Western Cape, 14 cases were reported in Cape Town, 11 in the Cape Winelands, and 12 in the Garden Route. While in the North West, 21 cases had been recorded, mainly around Klerksdorp and surrounding areas.

By Friday, no update on the number of cases was available yet. 

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF TYPHOID FEVER: 

Common typhoid fever symptoms are similar to those of a patient with acute gastroenteritis or even a stomach bug. 

Common symptoms:

These symptoms include:

  • . Constipation or diarrhoea;
  • . Headache;
  • . High fever;
  • . Stomach pain;
  • . Fatigue;
  • . Nausea;
  • . A rash in some cases

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY: 

Remember that you can protect yourself and your family from enteric fever and many other infections by following these important preventive measures:

Hand hygiene. Wash hands with soap and safe water:

  • Before, during, and after preparing food
  • Before and after eating food
  • Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick (especially if they have diarrhoea or vomiting)
  • After using the toilet
  • After changing diapers/nappies or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet

HERE IS SOME FOOD SAFETY PRACTICE: 

Follow the World Health Organization’s five keys to safer food: 

  • keep clean; 
  • separate raw and cooked; 
  • cook thoroughly; 
  • keep food at safe temperatures,
  • use safe water and raw materials. 

Washing hands with soap and water before, during, and after preparing food and before eating is especially important.

HOW TO TREAT WATER IF YOU ARE CONCERNED: 

Using safe water. When there is concern about the quality of water you are using for drinking and cooking, then it is recommended to treat the water.

First, boil it (place water in a clean container and bring to a boil for 1 minute) or treating it with household bleach (add 1 teaspoon of household bleach (containing 5% chlorine) to 20-25 litres of water, mix well, and leave it to stand for at least 30 minutes before use).

ALSO READ: Typhoid in Tshwane: ‘No need to panic’ says City