Typhoid claim a third victim

Issued by: Mpumalanga Department of Health and Social Services

16 September 2005

It is with sorrow and sadness to announce that one more death occurred in the last 24hrs, bringing the total number of deaths to three (3). A 46-year-old woman died in KwaMhlanga Hospital just after 12h00 this morning. Her name cannot be released because at the time of going to press her next of kin and family members have not yet been informed.

In this regard, Mpumalanga MEC for health and Social Services Mr. Pogisho Pasha would like to extend his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and relatives of all the deceased. Government is in discussion with affected families with regard to possible assistance on in respect of burial costs.

Government continues to do all that is possible in the immediate and long term to stabilise the impact and further outbreak of typhoid and diarrhoea in the Delmas municipality.

To this end, the following interventions have been put in place:

• Daily supply of clean and safe water through trucks and JOJO tanks to the community
• Thirteen additional health professionals to assist with capacity have been deployed in our facilities
• 90 health promotion workers and environmental officers who conducts door to door and awareness campaign visits aimed at encouraging the community to report early detection of possible symptoms at their nearest health facility. These field workers also provide after care support to the discharged patients.
• Following the Premier Thabang Makwetla 's visit yesterday, the municipality has been tasked to enter into possible discussion with Rand Water Board for possible permanent solution with regard to water provision supply to Delmas.

As a result we are fairly confident that the situation is normalising. The total number of patients discharged over the last 24hrs is 18.

We have also noted the decline on the number of daily intake with respect to Diarrhoea cases, as follows; Tuesday we had 218, Wednesday 167 and Thursday 154. These numbers include patients who consulted at Phelo-Phepa train since Monday the 12/09/2005. However the number of recorded cases since the outbreak is 2733. As of today at 13h00, the stats are as follows: The number of people presenting symptoms of typhoid is 483 and only 88 of this number has been hospitalised.

All these patients are admitted at the following hospitals; Bernice Samuel, Kwamhlanga and Witbank.

The results of the bacteria analysis will be handed over to the medical Joint Operational Task Team (MJOCK), a multi-departmental body overseeing government's (national, provincial and local) response to the outbreak.

We therefore urge the community of Delmas to continue to report all cases and further refrain from utilising tap water for human consumption.

Contact
Media Liaison Officer
Mpho Gabashane 082 802 4937