APA-Pretoria (South Africa) At least 12 people have died of cholera in South Africa’s administrative capital Pretoria as fears mount that the situation could worsen due to lack of clean drinking water in parts of the city.
The Gauteng provincial health department announced on Saturday that 10 patients had died after presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms in the area last week.
However, health department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba on Monday confirmed that two more people had died in hospital, bringing the death toll from the outbreak to 12.
He said a rising number of people were seeking medical attention in the city amid fears that the cholera outbreak was spreading.
“As of last night we had 37 people admitted in hospital and 95 people the hospital has seen seeking medical attention since May 15,” Modiba said.
The people were admitted to hospital with diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting.
On Sunday Gauteng provincial minister for health and wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko confirmed the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal near Pretoria where residents have not had safe drinking water for years.
The city has been providing water bowsers for residents after they were advised not to drink water coming from taps.
NM/jn/APA