Over 500 sickened by contaminated water in South Africa

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 02:32 · Archive

Over 500 people in South Africa fell ill from a gastrointestinal illness linked to contaminated water in two cities.

Over 500 people in South Africa have fallen ill from a gastrointestinal illness causing stomach cramps and diarrhea, linked to poor water quality in communities east of Pretoria. Authorities issued a warning this week to residents to stop drinking tap water after 408 people, including children, were treated at various health facilities.

According to health and city officials, the contaminated water came from a treatment plant that supplies several communities east of Pretoria. The plant had not been chlorinated for approximately three weeks, rendering it unsafe for human consumption. Officials said the municipality had difficulty obtaining chlorine from its usual supplier. The plant sources water from the Bronkhorstspruit River, which is badly contaminated with sewage pollution from poorly functioning wastewater treatment plants upstream.

Most of those who fell ill were children under 4 years old. An initial investigation revealed that officials failed to inform residents about the poor quality of the water. City officials distributed water to residents through emergency tankers on Wednesday, whilst the charity organisation Gift of the Givers supplied bottled water to the community.

How it is being reported

• Over 500 in South Africa sickened in outbreak linked to poor water qualityOver 500 people in South Africa have fallen ill from a gastrointestinal illness linked to poor water quality in two cities.News4Jax · 21 Oct, 16:13
• Over 500 in South Africa sickened in outbreak linked to poor water qualityOver 500 people in South Africa have fallen ill from a gastrointestinal illness linked to poor water quality in two cities.Clickorlando · 21 Oct, 16:13

In this story: South Africa · Pretoria · Gift of the Givers · Bronkhorstspruit River

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