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The national health department has announced its first cholera death, raising concerns as more cases are detected in the country.
Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla said there were five laboratory-confirmed cases in the country.
Phaahla mentioned the deceased was a 24-year-old man who lived in Emandleni, Wattville, Benoni in Ekurhuleni, with no travel history.
He said the outbreak response team who conducted a case investigation visited the patient’s residence and workplace the following day.
The patient presented with profuse watery diarrhoea and was admitted to Tambo Memorial Hospital.
"His results confirmed positive status and sadly he passed away a few days later," Phaahla said.
The minister added one of his contacts was still in hospital and further investigations were conducted. He said the body of the deceased would be transported to KwaZulu-Natal for burial, adding:
He said the death of the cholera patient followed the announcement of three cases a few weeks ago.
"A fourth case is a 28-year-old man living in Alexandra Township in Johannesburg who had no local or international travel history."
READ: SA records two cholera cases imported from Malawi
The patient presented himself at the Edenvale Hospital Emergency Centre with a four-day history of diarrhoea, vomiting and body weakness, he said.
Phaahla detailed a specimen was collected for testing and the patient was not admitted to the hospital but treated as an outpatient and given treatment to take home. He requested to return for his results, which came back positive.
The minister said:
The symptoms include diarrhoea, dehydration, vomiting and body weakness.
READ: SA records two cholera cases imported from Malawi
Phaahla reminded members of the public to maintain hand hygiene to prevent possible transmission.
"All people who experience cholera-like symptoms, with or without local or international travel history, are encouraged to immediately visit their nearest health facility for screening and testing to ensure early detection and successful treatment if tested positive," he said.
