GAUTENG. — Between 140 and 160 cases of people who have developed diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal symptoms were reported between 7 and 12 October in Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding areas. A possible link to the Bronkhorstspruit water supply is being investigated by the City of Tshwane, but the cause of the illnesses has not yet been confirmed. The warning remains: even if water is boiled, it is still not safe for human use until the city council indicates otherwise.
Most patients were treated at Bronkhorstspruit Hospital, while other cases were reported at Mamelodi, Steve Biko Academic and Wilgers hospitals. No deaths have been reported so far. Councillor Tshegofatso Mashabela, Tshwane's mayoral committee member for health, says the city, Tshwane District Health Services, and the provincial and national health departments are investigating the cases. Blood and stool test results from patients are still awaited.
The city has meanwhile stepped up water testing at the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment facility and in the distribution network. In a separate update on 15 October, the city said it plans to resume water production by Thursday evening, subject to the necessary readiness checks. The existing warning remains in effect, however: water from the facility is not safe for human use, even after it has been boiled, until the city officially announces otherwise.
Residents are advised to use alternative safe water sources in the meantime, including water supplied by the city's water tankers. The city says the tankers serving Sector 7 source their water from Cullinan, outside the affected supply area, and are disinfected daily. Residents with persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, weakness or signs of dehydration should seek medical help, especially when children, elderly people or other vulnerable persons are affected.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
