An outbreak of diarrhoeal disease or gastrointestinal infection in Hammanskraal has been confirmed by the Gauteng health department.

Six people have died while at least 52 people were receiving medical care at Jubilee hospital in Hammanskraal.

Tshwane health MMC, Rina Marx, confirmed that the metro’s outbreak response teams with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Gauteng Health were investigating the outbreak.

According to the provincial health department, the patients were from Kanana, Suurman, Majaneng, and Green Field.

In a statement, the department said it had dispatched outbreak response teams to investigate the source of the infection.

It urged the public to practice proper hand hygiene and report symptoms to health facilities.

“Gastrointestinal infection is a common and often highly infectious condition that affects the stomach and intestines. It spreads through contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water,” the statement read.
According to the department, patients presented with symptoms including watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting.

Most of the patients showed signs upon arrival at the facility. Of the 52 patients, 26 had symptoms of both diarrhoea and vomiting, while 16 had only diarrhoea and 10 experienced vomiting.

While most healthy individuals recover without complications, the elderly, infants, and those with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk.

Gauteng Health advises the public to maintain proper hand hygiene, with water and soap before and after using the bathroom or toilet, and before preparing or consuming food.

The department said that signs and symptoms can include:
– Watery diarrhea
– Stomach cramps
– Nausea
– Vomiting

Symptoms may appear within 1-3 days after infection and can range from mild to severe, lasting up to 14 days in some cases.
Gauteng also reported 15 confirmed cases of Cholera, resulting in one death.

Cholera is a severe diarrhoeal disease that requires immediate medical attention to prevent dehydration.

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