The Western Cape department of Health and Wellness is calling on calm amid laboratory-confirmed cases of diphtheria.
A contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the disease is treatable, says the department.
In a statement on Wednesday 18 December, the department confirmed four adult patients had been diagnosed with the condition, resulting in one death.
“We ask residents not to panic while efforts to control diphtheria cases are under way,” reads the public notice. “Residents can be assured that we have stepped up efforts with our partners to screen people who have been exposed to the disease in the affected communities. Treatment is also being offered to those with symptoms consistent with the disease.”
Byron la Hoe, departmental spokesperson described this as a “small cluster” of infections and says they are unrelated.
By Friday 20 December, a fifth case had been diagnosed.
“The Department can confirm that five laboratory confirmed diphtheria cases involving adults between the ages 28 and 41 have been identified in different areas in the Cape Metro district, which include Philippi, Lotus River, Athlone and a correctional facility. These cases have no apparent epidemiological links. One confirmed case involved a 34-year-old woman who sadly had passed away on 5 December,” says La Hoe to People’s Post.
The disease is treatable and is also preventable through vaccination.
“Currently, no confirmed diphtheria cases involving children have been reported in the last month, but parents or caregivers are advised to ensure that their unvaccinated boys and girls aged 6 and 12 receive the vaccine against the disease.”
The department initiated a public health response following the laboratory-confirmed cases from Monday 25 November to date.
“This response includes ongoing contact tracing within the affected communities, a correctional facility, and consulting healthcare workers; as well as the collection of swabs for diphtheria screening, provision of prophylaxis (antibiotics), and targeted vaccination of at-risk persons as per the guidelines,” says La Hoe.
Symptoms of respiratory diphtheria usually begin two to five days after a person becomes infected.
Signs may include weakness, fever, sore throat, and swollen glands in the neck.
“A thick, grey coating (pseudo-membrane) in the throat or nose can also appear. Persons who have symptoms consistent with diphtheria should seek medical care as soon as possible,” says La Hoe.
