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The KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape health department are confident that they have the Zimbabwe cholera spill-over under control in their regions, but Gauteng hospitals are still seeing new cases.
Gauteng had confirmed cholera in 16 of the 46 people who presented with symptoms of the curable intestinal infection since November. Two people did not respond to treatment and died.
Only two people who sought treatment are South African, with most from Zimbabwe, said Dr Chika Esomugha, medical advisor to the Gauteng department of health in a statement.
Zimbabweans seeking treatment in SA
The Vhembe area of Limpopo was declared a disaster zone following a visit by South Africa's Health Minister Barbara Hogan to Musina and Madimbo, where Zimbabweans crossed the border seeking treatment.
By Thursday 688 people had sought treatment in Limpopo since mid-November.
On the other side of the border, the United Nations estimated that almost 800 people had died, out of the almost 600 000 infected.
Zim needs doctors, not soldiers
South Africa was helping Zimbabwean water authorities repair a broken waste water treatment plant near the border, and was sending supplies of clean water to the area.
Amid a call for military action to remove him, Mugabe, in a speech lashing out at his detractors, responded that it would be better to send doctors than soldiers. – (Sapa)
Read more:
Limpopo declares disaster area
Zim's cholera orphans
December 2008
