“The situation is under control. Our outbreak response teams have been activated and we have increased surveillance efforts. The Gauteng Department of Health is working closely with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, World Health Organisation and the National Department of Health to closely monitor the Cholera cases,” assured MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko. 

The two confirmed cases are sisters who had travelled together from Johannesburg on 15 January 2023 to Malawi to attend a funeral service and returned by bus on 30 January 2023. Both sisters had developed symptoms on their return to Johannesburg. 

One of the sisters presented to a local clinic and was later admitted in hospital on 31 January 2023. During the case investigation and follow-up of close contacts, the sister reported that she also developed diarrhoea whilst travelling back from Malawi but it resolved within a day and she did not seek mediacal care. In a bid to prevent the spread of Cholera infections the department’s outbreak response teams have visited households for the identified cases and those of the 18 contacts, who will be followed up for 5 days as part of standard protocol. 

Furthermore, the department is currently conducting advocacy and health education as part of its social mobilisation drive to the respective households.