Eight inmates tested positive for diphtheria, two of them presenting with mild symptoms and the other six are asymptomatic.
Corynebacterium bacteria, Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium that causes diphtheria. An outbreak has been confirmed at Pollsmoor Correctional Services in the Western Cape. Photo: iStockThis after a 19-year-old male inmate presented with diphtheria symptoms on 28 October and was referred to the local hospital for further medical care, according to departmental spokesperson Foster Mohale.
Public health measures were undertaken, including contact tracing of inmates and correctional services staff, consulting healthcare workers and emergency services personnel.Of the 55 identified close contacts, eight inmates tested positive for diphtheria, two of them presenting with mild symptoms and the other six are asymptomatic.
The toxin may lead to difficulty in breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death. The bacteria spreads from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
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