Serious concern prevails over the sudden increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases, especially in the Ngwathe and Moqhaka districts in the Free State.
The Free State Department of Health issued a press release on Thursday, 28 November, concerning the increase in TB cases in the abovementioned areas during the previous two weeks.
The majority of confirmed cases are in Moqhaka, which include 13 cases at the Kopanang Gold Mine and 39 cases at the Reaitumela Primary School in Kroonstad.
These numbers are subject to change, pending laboratory results.
Another cluster has been identified in the Ngwathe area, with eight cases emanating from three schools in Parys, namely the Yakhisizwe Secondary School, the Botjhabatsatsi Primary School and the Lister Skhosana Primary School. All confirmed cases from these schools were initiated on treatment and eligible contacts on TB prophylactic treatment (TPT).
“The department has embarked on surveillance and case management processes – with ongoing campaigns to screen, test, and initiate treatment being conducted by the integrated health teams to curb the spread of TB in the schools and at the mine,” says Mondli Mvambi, head of communication of the provincial health department.
“Ongoing activities are being conducted, including daily monitoring and updates given by the District Outbreak Response Team (Dort).”
As from 11 November, awareness campaigns were launched in these areas.
The Department of Health says it is important for the community to not panic, but to rather educate themselves to curb the spreading of TB, and also to know what to do when infected.
TB is curable if the person who is infected takes their treatment from start to finish.
It is an airborne disease, which means others can become sick by breathing in the contaminated air.
TB can affect any part of the body. When it has affected the lungs, it is called pulmonary TB, which is infectious and can easily spread from one person to another.
Symptoms to look out for
The following are signs that you might have TB:
- persistent cough that does not respond to any medication;
- unexplained tiredness;
- chest pains;
- loss of appetite;
- unintended loss of weight; and
- drenching night sweats, even in cold weather.
Should anyone have these symptoms, they are requested to immediately seek medical care from a clinic or doctor.
