Three people are reported to have died from a severe form of diarrhoea, at Ha Matee in Qacha's Nek. However, this is a seasonal sickness and not an outbreak, according to Sister Maria-Louisa Mahase, a nursing sister at the Christ the King Catholic Mission health centre.

The community and Chieftainess 'Manthabiseng Chitja of Ha Matee had expressed concern at the disease, which has attacked mostly destitute families since November last year. The latest victim is a young man under the age of 20, whose younger brother, currently critically ill, has fallen prey to the same disease, Chieftainess Chitja said.

Asked whether the disease could be an outbreak, Sister Maria-Louisa, in charge at the Christ the King clinic, said diarrhoea is seasonal, and according to her records, it is not an outbreak. The disease is giardiasis, which has symptoms of mucus and bloodstained stool, severe abdominal pain associated with backache, which subsides after defecation.

People should boil water before drinking, children not eat fruits not yet ready for picking and, have proper toilets, she said.

04 February 2005