KZN typhoid fever cases unrelated: institute
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says the two reported cases of typhoid fever in KwaZulu-Natal are unrelated.
The Institute's Dr. Karen Keddy has confirmed that the cases have been registered in the province, bringing the national count to 21 cases.
"In fact, one of them was in association with a recent travel history to the Indian sub-continent. So it looks like an imported case. We always see increased numbers in January, February - partly related to the fact that typhoid fever is a summer disease and also of course many people do go away over December," she said.
Keddy says typhoid fever is easily treated with antibiotics.
The disease is transmitted through contaminated water and food.
People are advised to wash their hands before preparing food, especially uncooked meals such as salads.
Symptoms include high fever, headaches, abdominal pain or severe flu-like symptoms.
The Health Department has confirmed that a woman died from typhoid fever in Gauteng last month.
(Photo: Getty Images)