Pretoria - Health Minister Barbara Hogan said in most cases the contamination of water sources and food by cholera bacteria was likely the main cause of cholera increase in the country.
"The spread of the infection from the north-east of the country has probably been caused by the migration of cholera carriers from affected areas as well as by the lack of adequate water supplies and safe sanitation in certain areas.
"While the department is making every effort to contain and stop the outbreak of the disease, the key is to work with the relevant water authorities to ensure improved access to clean water in some parts of the country including Zimbabwe," the minister said, adding that poor hygiene and sanitation practices were also the contributing factors of cholera.
Minister Hogan said she was very concerned about the increase in the number of cases but confident in the ability of the department to fight the disease.
From 15 November 2008 to 23 January 2009, 5 341 patients were diagnosed and treated for cholera, of this number, 34 people died as a result of the disease.
The majority of patients, 2 834 were diagnosed and treated in the Limpopo, 2 276 patients were treated in Mpumalanga whilst 201 in Gauteng. The remaining provinces have reported single-figure incidences of the disease.
"While any death from cholera is one death too many, the low case fatality rate across the country reflects the quality of care that is provided in most of our public health facilities," the minister said.
She said the concerns regarding ambulance services, which have not been providing timeous service to those in need in some areas was receiving attention.
Minister Hogan said to prevent the further spread of disease as well as further loss of life, the department has established a National Cholera Coordinating Committee with participation from relevant United Nations agencies, international and local non-government organisations and relevant government departments.
Ms Hogan said the committee has developed and implemented a national plan of action for the control of cholera including strengthening information, education and communication programmes to ensure an enhanced focus on good hygiene practices.
"But it [plan] needs to also ensure that water and sanitation services are adequately provided," she noted.
The department has also sent trained cholera outbreak response teams to help the provincial authorities in the worst affected districts in Limpopo and Mpumalanga and is working with National Treasury and the Limpopo Department of Health to secure additional funding for Limpopo to help it contain the disease.
Furthermore, the department is collaborating with other relevant departments to monitor water quality, to ensure safe water supplies and sanitation and has also approached the private health sector in a bid to generate additional resources including medical volunteers to help treat cholera victims.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has been enlisted by the department to review guidelines to ensure that it deals better with the current and any future cholera outbreak; the guidelines are being distributed to all provinces.
The minister also acknowledged the efforts of the Hospital Association of South Africa in setting up a cholera desk to assist with the response to the outbreak of the disease.
"The department wishes to reiterate its messages with respect to the control of the spread of cholera, hand washing, good sanitation practices, early presentation to health facilities for anyone with watery and loose stools and adequate hydration are key to cholera control."
