2023—2024 cholera outbreak in South Africa

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2023-2024 South Africa South African cholera outbreak
DiseaseCholera
Virus strainVibrio cholerae
SourceIntroduced into the country
LocationSouth Africa
Arrival date29 January 2023 (2023-01-29)
Suspected cases‡1499 (or 1395)
Deaths
47
Fatality rate3.4
‡Suspected cases have not been confirmed by laboratory tests as being due to this strain, although some other strains may have been ruled out.

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]

Background[edit]

The 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[edit]

The 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[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Rapid response ends cholera outbreak". WHO | Regional Office for Africa. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Cholera death toll in SA rises to 43 - South Africa | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Cholera in the WHO African Region - Weekly Regional Cholera Bulletin: 4 March 2024" (PDF).
  4. ^ Lawal, Shola. "What's fuelling the deadly cholera outbreak in Southern Africa?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "South Africa reports new Cholera cases - Gauteng Provincial Government". www.gauteng.gov.za. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Schenck, Catherine (23 May 2023). "South Africans blame city as cholera cases rise". Reuters. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  8. ^ Plessis, Carien du (25 May 2023). "South Africa cholera outbreak re-ignites anger over service delivery". Reuters. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Nearly 50 Cholera Deaths Reported in South Africa". VOA. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  10. ^ apofeed (16 January 2024). "South Africa: Travellers urged to be vigilant following detection of cholera in Limpopo". African Business. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
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