​Thembisa Shologu
South Africa has recorded at least 46 suspected cholera cases and five laboratory-confirmed cases between 1 January and 1 February 2024.
Addressing the media, Health Minister Joe Phaahla revealed that three cases were imported from neighbouring Zimbabwe, which has been grappling with a cholera outbreak.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in the week ending 21 January 2024, 1499 new suspected cholera cases were reported across all South African provinces. Notably, two documented cases involved siblings aged 11 and 13 with no history of travel to cholera outbreak areas, indicating a potential risk of contact with known cholera cases.
"Four of these cases were detected in Limpopo hospitals at Musina and Helene Frans Hospital, and the other one was confirmed in Helen Joseph Hospital in Gauteng.  
"The local outbreak response teams have been activated to strengthen the investigation to conduct active case finding and contact tracing, to determine the source of infection where there is no travel history, and to institute control measures to avert further local transmission," said Dr Phaahla.
Phaahla urged the public to remain calm but emphasised the need for heightened vigilance, especially among children at home and schools, to maintain proper personal hygiene practices. 
He further stated that the country remained on high alert for potential community-level surges in cases.