β‘Suspected cases have not been confirmed by laboratory tests as being due to this strain, although some other strains may have been ruled out.
On 1 February, 2023, a
cholera outbreak began in South Africa.[1][2] As of 3 March 2024, 1395 cases had been reported.[3][1]
Background
The South African outbreak is thought to originate from two sisters that introduced it into the country after visiting Chinsapo (
Lilongwe) in Malawi.[4] The initial cases were isolated to
Gauteng.[5] As of 21 January 2024, 1499 (or 1395)[3] new suspected cholera cases were reported across all 9 provinces.[6]
Timeline
The first cases of cholera were reported on 1 February 2023.[1]
In May, the
Gauteng province health department declared an outbreak in
Hammanskraal.[7] Fifteen deaths and 41 cases had been recorded as of May 22.[7] Residents blamed the local government for failing to provide adequate potable water.[7][8]
By July 10, nearly 50 deaths had been recorded,[9] most of which occurred in
Hammanskraal.[9]
On 16 January 2024, the health ministry confirmed two cases through laboratory tests in
Limpopo province.[10]