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The Department of Correctional Services has confirmed the death of one inmate at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre in the Western Cape after cases of Diptheria were reported.
Spokesperson, Singabhako Nxumalo, said so far eight cases have been "laboratory-confirmed", with the one inmate fatality reported on 5 November, after being confirmed three days before.
"This prompted DCS to immediately start with contact tracing and isolation. Treatment has been extended to the positive and vaccination to those that are at high risk has also commenced.
"Containment at this stage is key and the facility is managing movement of inmates and officials at Medium A, where Diphtheria has been detected," he said.
Nxumalo said they were working with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) in managing the outbreak.
He said symptoms associated with Diphtheria include fever, sore throat, and swollen glands in the neck and is a preventable disease with vaccination.
Visits to the Medium A facility at the Pollsmoor have been prohibited to prevent any further spread of Diphtheria.
What is Diptheria?
Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheria that produces a toxin in the body.
People who share the same household or those directly exposed to secretions from the suspected infection site (e.g., mouth, skin) of the patient can get ill.
The symptoms include weakness, sore throat a mild fever and swollen glands in the neck.
