After last week’s annual report about the increase in laboratory-confirmed enteric fever cases (typhoid fever) in certain parts of the country, the Western Cape Health Department said the cases in this province were interpreted incorrectly as new cases.
The cases in the province were reported to be higher than in previous years. However, these reports are based on cumulative historical data as set out below.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) recorded the following annual number of cases:. 31 in 2020. 48 in 2021. 7 in 2022
Since 2020 to date, three clusters were identified in the province, which have now been reported by the NICD. In these clusters:. 14 cases were recorded in the Metro with the first case reported in November 2020 and the most recent case in January 2022. . 11 in Cape Winelands with the first case reported in July 2020 and the most recent case in May 2021, and . 12 on the Garden Route with the first case reported in August 2020 and the most recent case in December 2021.
According to the Western Cape Department of Health these local outbreaks of enteric fever occur amid an annual surge of diarrhoea, which occurs annually at this time. The department said cases of enteric fever are being managed by the Department of Health in specific areas, and it assures residents there is no cause for panic.
“There are numerous social-media posts with false information about enteric fever in South Africa, which are attracting widespread attention and causing needless concern and panic at the moment,” Sinenhlanhla Jimoh, Senior Communications Manager at the NICD, said.
“These posts allege either that there are currently cases of enteric fever in certain towns or provinces caused by contaminated municipal water, or that the bacteria causing enteric fever have been identified in certain municipal water sources.
“These statements are factually incorrect. 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 enteric fever have recently been identified in municipal water sources anywhere in the country.”
Drakenstein Municipality too has assured residents, businesses and visitors its tap water remains safe to drink. This, despite rumours being circulated on social media that municipal water is unsafe and causing diseases.
“The municipality reiterates its statement of a month ago that all municipal water complies with SANS241 standards,” Riana Geldenhuys, Manager: Communication & Marketing at Drakenstein Municipality, said.
“All water is filtered, stabilised and disinfected during the treatment process. Drinking water is tested throughout the municipal network on a regular basis, and the sampling and testing are done by accredited external laboratories. The water quality is also monitored by the municipality’s Water Services staff on a daily basis. There is therefore no need to boil any tap water coming from Drakenstein Municipality.”
Prevention
District and sub-district services also conduct health promotion activities (as part of the diarrhoeal season) that includes general hygiene and hand washing. . Proper hand-hygiene which includes thorough washing of hands with water and soap after using the bathroom/toilette, and before preparing or eating a meal. . Maintain good hygiene in the kitchen when you are handling and preparing a meal. . Household water and sanitation supplies are safe. . Avoid water that may be contaminated (polluted) with sewage (wastewater that contains human waste). . Safe disposal of human faeces and nappies.
Symptoms
If you have enteric (typhoid) fever you may have mild or severe symptoms, which include: fever, headache, feeling unwell in general, abdominal pain or cramps, nausea and vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea, a rash on the stomach and a dry cough.
The symptoms may appear as early as three days to as late as 60 days after you were exposed to the bacteria.
You usually start to get sick within nine to 21 days after exposure. If experiencing symptoms seek health care immediately.
