South Africa has recorded cholera cases from two sisters who travelled to Malawi, where an outbreak has claimed hundreds of lives.
The nation’s health officials acknowledged that both individuals started experiencing symptoms after arriving in Johannesburg.
The health authority has issued a warning and urged people to practice good hygiene, such as washing their hands with soap and water before and after using the restrooms, as well as before preparing or eating food.
One of the sisters visited a clinic before being taken to the hospital, according to Foster Mohale, a spokesman for the Department of Health.
The health authorities stated that a “close contact”—a home family member—of one of the patients was hospitalized to the hospital on February 4 with diarrhea and dehydration and is thought to be a likely case.
According to the health department, laboratory test results are still waiting, and close connections with the sisters are still being monitored.
Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria that causes cholera, is an acute gastrointestinal illness that often breaks out in areas with poor sanitation and access to clean water. Mild to severe symptoms include dehydration and watery diarrhea.
“The department is working closely with the afflicted province [Gauteng], the National Institute of Communicable Diseases and World Health Organisation to monitor the situation,” added Mohale.
According to the agency, health experts at the ports of entry, particularly those for land and air travel, will continue to be on high alert for visitors coming from nations where there is a cholera outbreak.