As the government works around the clock to contain the waterborne illness, the North West Department of Health reported on Tuesday that it has identified two cases of cholera that have been verified in the lab.
The provincial Health Department reports that two males aged 38 and 68 from the local towns of Madibeng and Morelete were found to have the confirmed laboratory cases.
Both individuals had diarrhoea and vomiting, which are cholera symptoms.
Since then, the government has warned residents not to worry because cholera is both preventable and treatable.
It is recommended that everyone experiencing cholera symptoms, whether or whether they have a history of domestic or international travel, go to the nearest medical facility.
When someone consumes food or water that has been tainted with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, they develop a diarrheal illness known as cholera.
According to the government, people often feel unwell 12 to 48 hours after exposure.
Diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever are some typical symptoms.
A minority of those who experience symptoms experience acute watery diarrhoea and severe dehydration, while the majority experience mild to moderate symptoms.
If untreated, this “may result in mortality,” the government said.
“The department would further like to urge the public to take extra precautionary measures and maintain proper hand hygiene as the country experiences an outbreak of diarrheal disease or digestive infection, as well as the rising number of laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera,” the statement continued.
The most recent statistics show that 23 people have died since the cholera epidemic in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, while 77 patients are currently being treated at Tshwane hospitals.
In addition, the Free State reported six additional cholera cases from Vredefort, two instances in Parys, and the death of a 33-year-old woman.
