Cape Town Diarrhoea Outbreak Leaves 2,800 Ill And 2 Kids Dead

Xinhua has reported that a diarrhoea outbreak in South Africa's Cape Town city has led to the death of at least two children and the hospitalisation of 2,800 others. Nearly 300 children were admitted at Red Cross Children's Hospital between November and December, while more than 2,500 children were treated at local clinics with moderate to severe dehydration due to diarrhoea, the Mayoral Committee for Health said.

Two children, less than five years of age, died, the committee said.

Spokesman Sandile Bontsa said only 57 children out of 2,519 were treated for severe dehydration.

In settlements with poor sanitation, residents are particularly at risk, Bonstsa said.

Diarrhoea outbreaks usually start in South Africa during summer around November and peak during February and March. It is the time when bacteria breeds due to heat, leading to serious gastric illnesses.

Source-IANS