Diphtheria outbreak claims Pollsmoor Prison inmate’s life
The Department of Health confirmed a diphtheria outbreak at the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre in the Western Cape, where one inmate has died.
The 19-year-old prisoner died on Sunday after he started experiencing symptoms of the infection a week before.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), diphtheria is a contagious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection that occurs in two forms – respiratory diphtheria and cutaneous diphtheria.
The department said that eight more inmates have tested positive for diphtheria, with only two experiencing mild symptoms.
It mentioned that those who have been in close contact with the affected prisoners are isolated to prevent the infection from spreading.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale:
“The public health measures were undertaken to put the outbreak under control, and these include contact tracing of inmates, correctional services staff, consulting healthcare workers and emergency services personnel.”
-EWN
In other news – Shauwn Mkhize (MaMkhize) ordered to pay R37 million bill
Popular 47-year-old South African reality TV star, actress, and businesswoman, Shauwn Mkhize aka MamKhize has been slapped with an R37 million tax bill. According to the report, MaMkhize has accumulated a massive amount of unpaid taxes.
Appearing before the stand on 16 October, MaMkhize was found guilty and ordered by the High Court of South Africa to pay R37, 915, 549.77. Read More
