22 May 2023 1 Min Read
WATCH: How does cholera spread?
Cholera is caused by bacteria that normally come from the faeces of an infected person. Here’s how you can protect yourself
in News & Fox by Dylan Bush and Jesse Copelyn
Information booklets on cholera were distributed in Emandleni in Wattville, Benoni, after a resident died of the disease earlier this year. Picture: Alaister Russell
Loading ...
South Africa has its first cholera outbreak since 2009. There have been 22 confirmed cases and one death since February, says Foster Mohale, the national health department’s spokesperson.
The cholera bug recently travelled to South Africa via people who got infected in Malawi and is now spreading.
The disease is caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae, which normally hitches a ride from one person to another through an infected person’s faeces. The bug spreads when contaminated sewage isn’t disposed of properly, and then comes into contact with water or food that others consume.
Loading ...
This story was produced by the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism. Sign up for the newsletter.