On 1 February, 2023, a cholera outbreak began in South Africa.[1][2] As of 3 March 2024, 1395 cases had been reported.[3][1]
2023-2024  South African cholera outbreak | |
|---|---|
| Disease | Cholera |
| Virus strain | Vibrio cholerae |
| Source | Introduced into the country |
| Location | South Africa |
| Arrival date | 29 January 2023 |
| Suspected cases‡ | 1499 (or 1395) |
Deaths | 47 |
| Fatality rate | 3.4 |
| ‡Suspected cases have not been confirmed by laboratory tests as being due to this strain, although some other strains may have been ruled out. | |
Background
editThe South African outbreak is thought to originate from two sisters that introduced it into the country after visiting Chinsapo (Lilongwe) in Malawi.[4] The initial cases were isolated to Gauteng.[5] As of 21 January 2024, 1499 (or 1395)[3] new suspected cholera cases were reported across all 9 provinces.[6]
Timeline
editThe first cases of cholera were reported on 1 February 2023.[1]
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.[7] Residents blamed the local government for failing to provide adequate potable water.[7][8]
By July 10, nearly 50 deaths had been recorded,[9] most of which occurred in Hammanskraal.[9]
On 16 January 2024, the health ministry confirmed two cases through laboratory tests in Limpopo province.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Rapid response ends cholera outbreak". WHO | Regional Office for Africa. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Cholera death toll in SA rises to 43 - South Africa | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Cholera in the WHO African Region - Weekly Regional Cholera Bulletin: 4 March 2024" (PDF).
- ^ Lawal, Shola. "What's fuelling the deadly cholera outbreak in Southern Africa?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ 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 (1 August 2023). "Imported Cholera Cases, South Africa, 2023". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 29 (8): 1687–1690. doi:10.3201/eid2908.230750. ISSN 1080-6040. PMC 10370840. PMID 37352549.
- ^ "South Africa reports new Cholera cases - Gauteng Provincial Government". www.gauteng.gov.za. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ a b c Schenck, Catherine (23 May 2023). "South Africans blame city as cholera cases rise". Reuters. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ Plessis, Carien du (25 May 2023). "South Africa cholera outbreak re-ignites anger over service delivery". Reuters. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Nearly 50 Cholera Deaths Reported in South Africa". VOA. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ apofeed (16 January 2024). "South Africa: Travellers urged to be vigilant following detection of cholera in Limpopo". African Business. Retrieved 20 January 2024.