KwaZulu-Natal health officials believe that their anti-cholera plan is effective, and that “an entire generation” is being educated about the disease and about basic hygiene.

This is despite fears that seasonal heavy rains expected in the province over the next three months will cause the epidemic to spread further.

According to WD Khanyile, provincial director of environmental health, each cholera case is costing the province an extra R600, “not to mention the cost in staff stress and hidden operational costs”.

However, armed with a budget of R12,4-million for publicity, extra staff and equipment, Khanyile believes the campaign is “hugely comprehensive”.

The province’s health department was recently praised by the World Health Organisation for “successful case management” for “exceptionally low” fatality rates. Less than 0,5% of patients have died so far.

However, the WHO report — based on a field visit to affected areas by WHO officials — said “a clear operational strategy for water and sanitation… seemed not to have been developed”. It recommended that government “formulate a short and medium term strategy that addresses water and sanitation needs, including rehabilitation of existing water sources, provision of emergency water supply and sanitation where needed”.

Three hundred community volunteers from Ulundi, Empangeni and Port Shepstone have been employed to educate residents about the causes of cholera and how to treat it, as well as how it can be avoided.

The starting point for volunteers was a community survey administered in January, which identified people’€™s knowledge of cholera, as well as how their water was gathered and treated and their sanitation habits.

Cholera is a water-borne disease which can be controlled by a healthy environment, particularly clean water, proper sanitation (so that infected faeces do not get into the water supply) and hygienic habits, such as regular washing of hands and of fresh vegetables.

The epidemic is concentrated around the north of the province, with Eshowe, Ulundi and Empangeni areas most affected. However, the Isipingo River near Durban last week (February 5-9) tested positive for cholera. Rivers in Gauteng and Mpumalanga have also tested positive for cholera.

How to prevent cholera:

Drink only tap, boiled or treated water. (1 teaspoon bleach in 25 litres water, leave to stand for a minimum of 2 hours before drinking. If boiling water, keep on a rolling boil for 3 minutes to kill cholera germs.)

Store water in clean, sealed containers. The container must first be washed with boiled or treated water.

Wash all raw food such as fruit and vegetables with clean, treated or boiled water.

Wash hands before preparing or eating food.

Wash food utensils in treated or boiled water.

Protect food utensils from fly contamination and prevent flies.

Use proper toilet facilities only, and wash hands after going to the toilet.

Wash hands before and after changing babies nappies.

The sanitary disposal of faeces is essential.

Do not contaminate rivers or leave sewage where it can be washed into rivers or dams by rain.

Do not allow children to play in dirty pools of water, rivulets or storm water outlets.

(Stats from Friday, February 09, 2001)