Pretoria – The number of deaths related to the cholera outbreak now stands at 47, the Department of Health revealed on Wednesday.
“Four new suspected deaths have been recorded (all in the Free State) since the last reporting on Sunday, (25 June 2023),” the department said.
However, the department said there was a significant decline in the number of both suspected and confirmed cholera cases around the country in the past few weeks.
Only one confirmed positive cholera case was recorded out of 28 new suspected cases in the past 10 days.
“This doesn`t mean the transmission of cholera is over, and members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and exercise personal hygiene at all times, especially when preparing and serving food during mass gatherings,” the department said.
“The department and its stakeholders will continue with the efforts and interventions to prevent new infections mainly through health education and targeted case-finding activities.
The country has recorded a total cumulative number of 1 073 suspected cases of cholera in five provinces, of which 198 of them were laboratory-confirmed between 1 February and 4 July 2023.
Gauteng Province is leading with 176 cases mostly from Hammanskraal in Tshwane, Free State 11, North West six cases, Limpopo four cases, and one case in Mpumalanga.
The cases have been diagnosed at both public (94%; 186/198) and private (6%; 12/198) laboratories.
