Typhoid cases in Gauteng

24 January 2016

I am concerned by the four typhoid cases that have been reported by the Gauteng Health Department, including one patient who died of typhoid last week.

Typhoid is a notifiable disease and is highly infectious.

 It is important that we establish the source of these typhoid cases and take steps to prevent the spread of this disease.

 An additional concern is that this may be a multi-drug resistant typhoid strain called H58 which has emerged in Africa and Asia and does not respond effectively to frontline anti-biotics.

 Hand washing is an important way to prevent the spread of typhoid.

 People should contact their nearest health facility if they experience diarrhoea, fever, headache and/or nausea and vomiting.

 Swift and effective measures are needed to contain a possible typhoid outbreak.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 24 January 2016