The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health on Wednesday urged residents of Vryheid, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, and surrounding areas, to only drink bottled water or water that had been disinfected.
This followed the admission of scores of people to Vryheid Hospital who was suffering from diarrhoea earlier in the week.
According to the management of the Zululand Health District, 54 patients were treated between March 22 and 24. The patients were from Bhekuzulu, Lakeside and Vryheid town.
The Abaqulusi District Municipality has been placed under administration following certain irregularities, including failure to guarantee the provision of water that is safe for human consumption.
While Environmental Health Practitioners have begun taking samples of water in the affected areas and elsewhere, the province’s Communicable Diseases Control has also taken stool samples from patients in order to determine the exact cause of their illness.
The KZN Department of Co-operative Government and Traditional Affairs had sent a team of engineers and infrastructure specialists to "have a closer look at the situation".
The local health district had begun loud-hailing and handing out flyers on the safe use of water.
Residents are urged to use only bottled water or water that has been disinfected with one teaspoon or 5ml of bleach into 20 to 25 litres of water. Mix well and wait for at least 30 minutes before consumption, then boil the water for at least a minute (let it bubble) to make it clean and safe.
- African News Agency (ANA)
