Typhoid outbreak in three provinces but no need for public to panic, says health authority

The current typhoid fever outbreak cannot be linked to Cape Town’s drinking water, the City said.

The current typhoid fever outbreak cannot be linked to Cape Town’s drinking water, the City said.

Published Feb 21, 2022

Share

CAPE TOWN – Although there have been confirmed cases of typhoid fever in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and the North West, the public has been assured that there is no cause for panic.

The Health Department in the Western said cases of typhoid fever, or enteric fever, occur annually, and shared the following preventative measures:

  • Practise proper hand-hygiene, which includes thorough washing of hands with water and soap after using the bathroom/toilet, and before preparing or eating a meal;
  • Maintain good hygiene in the kitchen when you are handling and preparing a meal;
  • Ensure household water and sanitation supplies are safe;
  • Avoid water that may be contaminated (polluted) with sewage (wastewater that contains human waste etc.); and
  • Dispose of human feaces (stools/poo) and nappies in a safe manner.

“The identification and investigation of enteric fever cases and clusters involves ongoing surveillance, thorough case management, contact tracing and environmental investigations (food, water and sanitation), and health promotion activities. All recent single cases and clusters are currently under investigation.

“Healthcare professionals are encouraged to be alert for possible cases and have a low threshold for collecting blood cultures when investigating cases of acute febrile illness,” the department said.

If you have enteric 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 diarrhea
  • A rash on the stomach
  • 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 9 to 21 days after exposure. If you experience symptoms, seek health care immediately,” the department advised.

Cape Times

Related Topics:

Health Welfare