Though cases of enteric fever (typhoid fever) are reported annually, the recently reported increase in the number of laboratory-confirmed cases in the Western Cape was interpreted incorrectly as new cases. The cases in the province were reported to be higher than in previous years. However, these reports are based on cumulative historical data as set out below.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) recorded the following annual number of cases:
• 31 in 2020
• 48 in 2021
• 7 in 2022

Since 2020 to date, three clusters were identified in the province which have now been reported by the NICD. In these clusters:
14 cases were recorded in the Metro with the first case reported in November 2020 and the most recent case in January 2022,
11 in Cape Winelands with the first case reported in July 2020 and the most recent case in May 2021, and
12 in the Garden Route with the first case reported in August 2020 and the most recent case in December 2021.
It is important to note that these reported clusters are based on historical data as per 2020 and 2021 data.

Whole-genome sequencing of enteric fever isolates, as part of the health responses, has identified specific ‘strains’ responsible for separate clusters in these districts, confirming that in those districts cases are linked and there is ongoing local transmission.

These local outbreaks of enteric fever are amidst an annual surge of diarrhea, which occurs annually at this time. Cases of enteric are fever being managed by Department of Health in specific areas, and we urge the public to be assured that there is no cause for panic.

Response teams activated
The response teams had been activated with guidance for further public health response and surveillance activities received from the National Institute for Communicable Disease, Enteric Unit.

The identification and investigation of enteric fever cases and clusters involves ongoing surveillance, thorough case management, contact tracing and environmental investigations (food, water and sanitation), and health promotion activities. All recent single cases and clusters are currently under investigation.

Healthcare professionals are encouraged to be alert for possible cases and have a low threshold for collecting blood cultures when investigating cases of acute febrile illness.

Water safety
District Municipality Environmental Health Services officials are part of the response teams to address sanitation and water safety-related issues. They are responsible for the routine monitoring of municipal water supply to communities which involves routine sampling for indicator organisms. In areas where water samples were collected (municipal sources and untreated water) and tested at specific laboratories as part of the investigations, enteric fever could not be isolated. There is currently no cause for water safety concern.

Healthcare provision: how is this done?
A healthcare worker will collect and send samples of blood or stool to a laboratory for testing. Enteric (typhoid) fever is treated with antibiotics as well as to treat carriers. If you become very sick, you may need to be hospitalised.

Prevention
District and sub-district services also conducts health promotion activities (as part of the diarrhoeal season) that includes general hygiene and handwashing.
1. Proper hand-hygiene which includes thorough washing of hands with water and soap after using the bathroom/toilette, and before preparing or eating a meal.
2. Maintain good hygiene in the kitchen when you are handling and preparing a meal.
3. Household water and sanitation supplies is safe.
4. Avoid water that may be contaminated (polluted) with sewage (wastewater that contains human waste etc.)
5. Safe disposal of human feaces (stools/poo) and nappies.

Symptoms
If you have enteric (typhoid) fever you may have mild or severe symptoms, which include:
1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Feeling unwell in general
4. Abdominal pain or cramps
5. Nausea and vomiting
6. Constipation or diarrhea
7. A rash on the stomach
8. Dry cough

The symptoms may appear as early as 3 days to as late as 60 days after you were exposed to the bacteria. You usually start to get sick within 9 to 21 days after exposure. If you experience symptoms, seek health care immediately.

ENDS

Please see the full notification here.

Published 2022-02-22

The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) and the national Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is currently in the process of preparing the country for Broadcasting Digital Migration, switching television signal from analogue to digital, for which all viewers will need a satellite dish and decoder.

Go Digital South Africa is a process of taking South Africans to an era of Digital Television that also brings more choice of television channels to ordinary people who view free-to-air television as provided by SABC, e-tv and M-Net. Currently, these services are broadcast in an analogue format.

Households earning less than R3 500 per month, can apply for a free satellite and decoder. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the Post Office, take your ID along and register.
2. Wait for the sub-contracted installations company to contact you with a date and time for installation.
3. Only sign the receipt when the installation has been completed and the supplier has shown you how the remote and your TV work, and make sure everything is functioning well.
4. You don't have to have a TV License to qualify, although you are encouraged to get one as soon as you can.

The anticipated switch-off of the analogue signal is set for 31 March 2022.

The Department of Home Affairs in partnership with the Overberg District Municipality and its local municipalities in the region will be hosting a high impact outreach programme in the Overberg region, scheduled for 21-25 February 2022.

Overberg district has been identified and prioritised due to the high client volume and the ever-increasing need for services such as birth and late-birth registrations, smart ID applications and other related products. Home Affairs and other government related services will be available.

Overstrand dates and venues:

• 21-23 February: Gansbaai Spaces for Sport
• 24-25 February: Kleinmond Town Hall
• 21-22 February: Moffat Hall, Mount Pleasant
• 23-25 February: Stanford Community Hall
• 21-25 February: Qhayiya Secondary, Zwelihle

Cape Agulhas dates and venues:

• 21-24 February: Struisbaai Rugby Field
• 25 February: Elim Community Hall
• 21-23 February: Napier Clinic
• 24-25 February: Arniston Community Hall

Swellendam dates and venues:

• 21-22 February: Railton Thusong Centre
• 23 February: Buffeljags Rugby Field
• 24-25 February: Barrydale Sportsground
• 24-25 February: Suurbraak Library

Theewaterskloof dates and venues:

• 21-22 February: Riviersonderend Community Hall
• 24-25 February: Botrivier Community Hall
• 21 February: Villiersdorp Secondary School
• 22-23 February: Villiersdorp Resource Centre
• 24 February: Villiersdorp Toy Library
• 24 February: Greyton Moravian Church Hall
• 25 February: Genadendal Kalsiefer Hall

To date, we have vaccinated 220 822 persons in the Overberg District, this includes health workers (as part of the Sisonke trial) and educators.   

We again call on everyone eligible for their booster dose to take up this opportunity as we have now exited the fourth wave and are in a good position to ensure we get as much protection against further waves and variants.

It is very important that people keep up vaccination after their first (primary) vaccine, to include additional (booster) doses where available. The booster dose helps people maintain strong protection from severe coronavirus disease. These booster doses are available to all persons, aged 18 years and older.  

Individuals who have received one dose of the J&J vaccine will be eligible to receive a booster dose of the J&J vaccine after an interval of at least two months (60 days).  Individuals who have received two primary doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be eligible to receive a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine after an interval of at least six months (180 days).  

It is given after the protection provided by the original shot(s) has begun to decrease over time. The booster helps people maintain strong protection from severe coronavirus disease. Research has shown that over time the protection against infection, and to a lesser degree severe disease, may drop to below satisfactory levels. This is when booster doses are recommended. It will also increase immunity against possible new variants.

Health experts at the Western Cape Department of Health are unanimous in that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks, for everyone. The vaccine helps prevent or reduce the spread of COVID-19. The risk of COVID-19 infection and especially severe disease is much higher in unvaccinated compared to vaccinated people. Even during the Omicron wave, the risk of death in breakthrough cases in the Western Cape was nearly four times lower than in unvaccinated cases, and the risk of all hospital admissions in unvaccinated cases was twice as high as vaccinated cases. 

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine can protect everyone – including younger persons, reducing the chance that they transmit the virus to family members and friends who may be more susceptible to severe consequences of the infection.

ENDS

Notice is hereby given that the Overberg District Municipality's Council Chamber have been made available for the Livestreaming of the 2022 State of the Province Address on 15 & 16 February 2022.

Limited seating is available and only 20 people will be admitted.

Programme for Tuesday, 15 February:

10:25                     Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Secretary arrive at the Velddrif Town Hall
10:30                     Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Secretary receive Premier and Mrs Winde
10:45 - 12:00         State of the Province Address
Livestream             https://www.wcpp.gov.za/node/11293

Programme for Wednesday, 16 February:

09:30-12:30           Debate on the State of the Province Address
Livestream             https://www.wcpp.gov.za/node/11294

13:45-14:45           Reply to the debate on the State of the Province Address
Livestream            https://www.wcpp.gov.za/node/11295

Mr Patrick Oliver
Municipal Manager (Acting)

Published 2022-02-08

Notice is hereby given that the Overberg District Municipality Draft Annual Report for the 2020/2021 Financial Year and the Second Adjustment Budget for 2021/2022 – 2023/2024 was approved by the Council on 31 January 2022.

The above documents can be viewed on the municipal website at www.odm.org.za.

Comments or representations on the Draft Annual Report must be sent to mm@odm.org.za by no later than 04 March 2022 at 16:30.

Published 2022-02-08