An outbreak of diphtheria has been officially declared at South Africa’s Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison, triggered by the death of a 19-year-old inmate.
Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla, announced that the male inmate who contracted the disease last month passed away on Sunday.
An additional eight inmates, ranging from 18 to 23 years old, have been placed in isolation after testing positive for the disease.
Dr. Phaahla added that two staff members, exhibiting symptoms, are currently awaiting their test results.
He mentioned that a vaccination campaign is currently in progress in the affected section of the prison.
Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable yet highly contagious bacterial illness that impacts the nose and throat, and it can also lead to skin ulcers.
The disease is transmitted through coughs, sneezes, or close contact with an infected person and, in severe cases, can result in fatalities.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa reports that the country has documented isolated cases of diphtheria since the initiation of immunization against the disease in the 1950s.
Nigeria is presently contending with one of its most severe diphtheria outbreaks, resulting in the death of over 600 individuals and infecting more than 14,000.
