Pretoria – The City of Tshwane on Monday said results from sampling testing taken from multiple sites around Temba and Hammanskraal have returned negative for cholera.
The death toll from the cholera outbreak has risen to 15.
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Nearly 100 patients complaining of Cholera-like symptoms have visited Jubilee District Hospital since last Monday and at least 37 of them were admitted.
The City of Tshwane said multiple reservoirs, fire hydrants, primary schools, clinics, and other locations that receive water from the Temba Water Treatment Plant were tested.
“All of these tests have conclusively indicated that there are no microbiological contaminants that point to E. Coli or Faecal Coliforms that can be linked to the cholera outbreak,” said the City of Tshwane.
“This means that the water that is being distributed via the citys bulk water distribution network in the area does not have cholera present in it.
“This does not make this water safe to drink as it is treated heavily with chlorine.”
The City of Tshwane said various points where water tankers draw their supply have also been tested.
The City of Tshwane said it has widened the scope of its testing and has been interviewing various patients to assist in tracing the source of the contamination.
“We will continue to keep the affected residents updated on further test results as and when they become available,” the City of Tshwane said.
“It is critically important that residents who have symptoms present themselves early at the nearest clinic or hospital in order to be treated. Please do not wait until you feel worse.
“We urge all residents in the area to take extra precaution in good hygiene practices.”
Below is a list of sites where samples were tested and results came out negative for cholera from 18- 21 May 2023:
Babelegi Reservoir Klipdrift
Mandela Mokonyama Primary School
Temba NW; Manyathi High School
Temba Oustad B; Demploy Training Centre
Temba NW; Jubilee Hospital Tower
Temba NW; SAPS College
Temba NW; Leboneng Primary School
KLT Automative 10th Street Admin Kitchen
Renstown Reservoir; Temba
Jana Laubscher; Brenner mills; Hammanskraal West Reservoir
Adam Masebe S. School
Suurclin, Suurman Clinic
House 143 Stellenbosch Temba
Jubilee Hospital Tower
Eersterust Hydrant
Kanana Ward 49 Zion CC
Kanana Ward 49 Car Wash
Hydrant from Magalies
Tanker Truck (registration plate known)
The City of Tshwane said it will intensify the food safety campaign, which includes, but is not limited to, how to hygienically prepare, transport and store food in the Hammanskraal area.
While the water supplied by the city in Hammanskraal is not potable, however, the city has been providing potable (drinkable) water through 52 water tankers to informal settlements three times a week.
The number of days for supplying water has been increased to five times a week, following the cholera outbreak, except on Thursdays and Sundays, until the end of May 2023.
In addition, the city is providing 44 water trucks to formal areas daily in Region 2.
All this is done to ensure that communities drink safe water.
Cholera is a bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water.
It causes severe diarrhea and dehydration.
If left untreated, it can be fatal in a matter of hours, even in previously healthy people.
The City of Tshwane reiterated its appeal to communities in Hammanskraal and surrounding areas to refrain from using water from taps for drinking purposes.
RELATED: Do Not Drink Tap Water, Hammanskraal Residents, Surrounding Areas Warned – The Bulrushes
The Outbreak Response Teams are on the ground conducting surveillance monitoring, sampling and field investigations.
The City of Tshwane said it was eagerly awaiting the confirmatory test results from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to determine the actual source of contamination.
“The city would like to encourage residents in the affected areas to regularly wash the containers they use to draw water from the water tankers with Jik detergent, and to boil water drawn from other sources before drinking it,” said the City of Tshwane.
“Communities were also urged not to conduct religious activities such as baptism in the rivers or streams.”
