An inmate has died and eight others were placed in isolation following an outbreak of diphtheria at Pollsmoor Prison.
The Medium A section of the prison has been identified by the Department of Correctional Services as the starting point of the outbreak, raising concerns about visitations in that area.
Also read: Graphic content: Pathologist describes killing of siblings as excessive
Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla said the inmate (19) presented symptoms on 28; he was taken to the hospital for medical care and passed away on Sunday.
‘Throat swabs were collected the same day for culture laboratory testing and the results returned positive five days later, on 2 November. Unfortunately, his health condition continued to deteriorate until he regrettably passed away on 5 November,’ a statement from the department said.
Two staff members are currently being treated for a bacterial nose and throat infection while they await the outcome of their lab tests.
Diphtheria is a disease caused by bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheria and usually affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, causing respiratory and skin infections.
Public health measures, including the tracing of inmates and correctional services staff, have since been put in place to bring the outbreak under control.
Meanwhile, additional tests were conducted on 55 individuals identified as close contacts in the case investigation, of which eight inmates tested positive for this serious infection.
According to the department, two of them presented mild symptoms, while the other six were asymptomatic.
‘All patients including the deceased fall within the age group of 18 to 23 years old. Immediate contacts of the patients and the deceased have been put in isolation from the rest of the correctional centre section to prevent further spread of the disease.’
The Western Cape Department of Health, along with the Department of Correctional Services, has since begun a vaccination campaign in the affected section of the correctional centre.
The department said two laboratory-confirmed cases of diphtheria disease were recorded earlier in the year, from an adult in KwaZulu-Natal and a child in the Western Cape.
Adding to that, diphtheria is an uncommon but vaccine-preventable serious infection. The toxin may lead to difficulty breathing, heart rhythm problems and even death.
The bacteria is spread through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and symptoms include a sore throat with the formation of a membrane on the tonsil and throat and swollen glands in the front of the neck.
The statement read, ‘Routine diphtheria vaccination is part of the childhood vaccine programme and parents are encouraged to get their children vaccinated.’
‘Healthcare workers are urged to maintain a high index of suspicion to ensure that cases are detected early, while all individuals are reminded of the importance of ensuring that they and their families are up-to-date with their vaccinations.’
‘In South Africa, diphtheria-containing vaccine is offered to all children free of charge in public sector facilities at six, 10 and 14 weeks and 18 months as one component of the hexavalent jab.’
Also read:
Health department urges calm as NICD detects two cases of diphtheria
Picture: Mufid Majnun / Unsplash
Instagram Picture: Edward Jenner / Pexels