04 December 2008 Cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe and South Africa

South African Tourism has been in contact with the Department of Health and the Government Communication Information System since news of the outbreak of cholera was received in the last week of November.

The Health authorities have assured South Africans that the appropriate steps have been taken to stem the spread of the disease in South Africa.

There have been four reported deaths in Limpopo one of whom was a South African and as at Monday 24 November, there had been 187 cases of cholera treated in the province.

Apart from Limpopo, nine confirmed and six suspected cases were reported in Gauteng, one confirmed case in KwaZulu Natal and one suspected case in both Mpumalanga and the Western Cape.

It is important to remember that the outbreak is isolated to a limited area and that Health authorities are working tirelessly to prevent the spread of the disease.  

Many areas frequented by tourists are perfectly free of contamination.  South African Tourism would like to encourage product owners to get in touch with their provincial health authorities and local departments in charge of water and sanitation to obtain up-to-date information with regard the situation in their area.  

In the affected areas, please caution guests to drink bottled water.


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