The Limpopo Department of Health said they were working closely with the Border Management Authority (BMA), an entity that, among others, has the mandate to monitor the movement of goods and services through the borders of South Africa. This comes after the department released a statement on Monday, 15 January, confirming two cases of cholera in the province. 

Cholera is a highly infectious and potentially life-threatening disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The most common symptoms of cholera include severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration. 

Zimbabwe has been experiencing an increase in cholera cases and suspected cholera deaths. According to an article published by The Chronicle, one of Zimbabwe’s newspapers, on 16 January, 770 new cases and 16 suspected cholera-related deaths have been reported since Sunday (13 January). 

The Limpopo Department of Health confirmed that two patients, both Zimbabwean men, aged 43 and 27, were admitted to the Musina and Hellen Franz hospitals respectively with cholera-like symptoms upon their return after the festive season.

Responding on how effectively the BMA is monitoring the importation of cholera at the Beitbridge Border Post, the spokesperson for the entity, Mmemme Mogotsi, said in a statement that they had already been working with the Department of Health to intensify health-screening services and health education on cholera at various ports of entry.

“As part of the plan, the BMA port health officers are also conducting visual observation for signs and symptoms of cholera for all travellers at the ports. Cholera is a waterborne disease and cannot be detected through temperature screening. When travellers arrive, the BMA conducts interviews to get travel history from travellers and has reserved isolation rooms for cases requiring attention,” said Mogotsi.

The BMA urges travellers presenting signs of illness or symptoms fitting the case definition of cholera to report to the BMA Port Health clinic on arrival at the port of entry or visit the nearest health facilities or private doctors for consultation. Travellers should be reminded to also inform their health practitioners of their travel history during such consultations.

“We have 25 BMA port health officials at the Beitbridge border and allocated five port health officers at the arrival gate. We are receiving community service Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) to further assist with the screening process. EHPs identify, monitor, and evaluate risks, as well as plan interventions that relate to microbiological, chemical, or physical environmental hazards. As part of the promotional campaign, the BMA continues to distribute cholera promotional material at both arrival and departure points to educate and share cholera messages to travellers. The messages are on safe water and safe food preparation as well as to promote personal hygiene,” Mogotsi said.