By Levy Masiteng
A total of 24 laboratory-confirmed cases of typhoid fever have been reported in the City of Tshwane, with the majority of cases in Hammanskraal and Bronkhorstspruit.
The patients, all under 15 years old, were admitted to Jubilee Hospital in Hammanskraal. Julia Aphane, the hospital’s senior nursing manager, said the children presented with diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and dehydration—symptoms similar to those experienced during the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal in 2023.
The City of Tshwane said it has launched an investigation into the outbreak, working closely with the Department of Health, the Department of Water and Sanitation, and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). Preliminary results from recent drinking water samples have not established an epidemiological link, and the source of the outbreak remains unknown.
“We urge all communities to follow hygiene protocols, including washing hands with soap and water, and to store water safely,” said Lindela Mashigo, spokesperson for the City. He added that routine water quality tests are ongoing, and Salmonella Typhi has not been detected in the municipal water network to date. Residents are advised to use only properly treated municipal water for drinking and cooking.
Concerns over water quality remain among residents. Lesego Moloi of Hammanskraal said: “We have been fighting for clean water every year, yet nothing changes.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) expressed concern over the outbreak. DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink called for the city to release the results of routine water tests. “We need independent verification. Silence from Moya only undermines trust in the City’s ability to manage the situation,” he said.
Residents shared firsthand accounts of the outbreak’s impact. Marrian Morudu said her son Lethabo was hospitalised with typhoid symptoms. “Lethabo got sick, started vomiting, and I could see blood. We’ve been fighting for clean water for a while, and it doesn’t get any better,” she said.
Health department spokesperson Foster Mohale assured the public that the situation is “under control,” adding that the NICD surveillance team is tracing the source of infection and educating communities on prevention.
“As the investigation continues, the city urges residents to remain vigilant and take precautions to prevent the spread of typhoid fever,” said Mashigo. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
INSIDE METROS