Contaminated water leaves more than 500 ill in South Africa
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Africanews
More than 500 people have been treated for gastrointestinal problems in South Africa: 408 residents near Pretoria and at least 111 students at Rhodes University. Authorities link the cases to water-quality problems, including at a station that supplied unchlorinated water for nearly three weeks, Africanews reports.
More than 500 people were treated for gastrointestinal problems in two regions of South Africa, including 408 residents east of Pretoria. Health authorities blame a water station that distributed unchlorinated water for nearly three weeks because of a shortage of disinfectants, Africanews reports.
The water also came from a river heavily polluted by sewage discharges. The affected residents were ordered not to drink tap water or use it for domestic needs, even after boiling it. Water tankers and humanitarian organisations are now providing drinking water, while an investigation found that municipal services had not warned the public of the health risk. Several parties are calling for resignations.
In the Eastern Cape province, at least 111 students at Rhodes University were also treated for similar symptoms. Water quality is suspected, but the origin of the outbreak has yet to be established, according to Africanews.
The new alert comes after cases reported in Bronkhorstspruit, including the 408 illnesses linked to contaminated water announced on 19 October. It also follows the water crisis in Bronkhorstspruit, for which Tshwane promised sanctions on 22 October.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
