Latest news with #PHBSA
IOL News
30-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Foodborne disease outbreak in Cape Town restaurant highlights South Africa's food safety issues
FBDs can stem from various hazards, including microbiological agents (such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites) and chemicals (like environmental pollutants, natural toxins, and food allergens). These hazards can lead to over 200 diseases, ranging from acute gastroenteritis to chronic illnesses, cancer, permanent disability, and even death. Image: Jan Ras The Public Health Bulletin of South Africa (PHBSA) has laid bare the scale and severity of a foodborne disease (FBD) outbreak at a Cape Town restaurant earlier this year. It also highlights broader cracks in South Africa's food safety surveillance system. FBDs can stem from various hazards, including microbiological agents (such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites) and chemicals (like environmental pollutants, natural toxins, and food allergens). These hazards can lead to over 200 diseases, ranging from acute gastroenteritis to chronic illnesses, cancer, permanent disability, and even death. The bulletin detailed the outbreak investigation and public health response after a clinician alerted the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) to several gastroenteritis cases, all traced back to the same restaurant. The suspected FBD outbreak was swiftly escalated, prompting action from the Communicable Disease Control unit in the Western Cape. According to the PHBSA report, 46 individuals were identified as symptomatic. All had either eaten at or worked at the restaurant. Rectal swabs or stool samples were collected from 49 individuals, and lab testing revealed that 33 were positive for Shigella spp. or Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC). This included six patrons and 27 staff members. Shigella and EIEC are closely related gram-negative bacteria known to cause gastroenteritis in humans. Both are among the 'big six' foodborne pathogens flagged by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are commonly transmitted through infected food handlers or contaminated food. While the outbreak's definitive source could not be identified, which is a frustratingly common outcome in FBD cases, investigators explored multiple plausible pathways. These included contaminated food, infected staff, and surface transmission. The bulletin also highlights the extent to which FBD outbreaks are under-investigated nationally. Between March 2018 and August 2020, South Africa recorded 337 FBD outbreaks. Only 129 (38%) were actively investigated. Of these, just 14 (11%) underwent comprehensive analysis combining lab, environmental, and epidemiological data. The Bulletin reminded the public that foodborne diseases aren't limited to short-term stomach bugs. They can stem from a wide range of hazards including bacteria, viruses, parasites, chemicals, toxins, and allergens. These can lead to more than 200 acute and chronic conditions, including cancer, lifelong disability, and death. With an estimated 91 million FBD cases and 137,000 related deaths per year in Africa alone, the stakes are high. The gaps in South Africa's response infrastructure are cause for concern. Provincial Field Epidemiologist in the Western Cape and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Janine Bezuidenhoudt, who is also the lead author of the study 'Investigation of a foodborne disease outbreak linked to a restaurant, City of Cape Town Metropolitan, Western Cape Province, South Africa, February 2024,' said documenting this outbreak thoroughly was critical to strengthening future investigations. 'We need national Shigella guidelines to guide outbreaks caused by Shigella,' she said. 'It is important for individuals with a foodborne disease to access healthcare for proper clinical management and that specimens are collected. Clinical specimens are needed to identify the causative organism and to enable the implementation of appropriate public health measures.' Weekend Argus
IOL News
22-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Study raises growing danger of foodborne diseases after Cape Town restaurant outbreak
Urgent calls for enhanced hygiene practices across the food industry have been made following findings from a recent study in the Public Health Bulletin South Africa. Image: Pexels / Eric Montanah Last year's outbreak of foodborne illness at a Cape Town restaurant has prompted urgent calls for improved hygiene practices and staff training across the food industry, following the release of a study published this week in the Public Health Bulletin South Africa (PHBSA). The February 2024 outbreak affected 46 people, including 12 restaurant staff and 34 patrons. Laboratory tests confirmed 33 of the cases were caused by Shigella species or enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC), both of which can cause severe stomach illness. Shigella species refer to a group of bacteria responsible for causing shigellosis, which is a diarrheal illness. Lead investigator Janine Bezuidenhoudt said the incident illustrates the growing danger of foodborne diseases in South Africa. 'Globally, 600 million people fall ill and 420,000 die every year after consuming contaminated food. Low- and middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable, with 137,000 people dying annually in Africa,' she said. She noted that the increase in foodborne illnesses this year contributed to the declaration of a national disaster. 'Restaurants, tuck shops, and fast-food establishments can all be sources of these illnesses,' Bezuidenhoudt said. Inspections at the restaurant revealed poor food storage practices, including overstocked cold storage and failure to use the 'first-in, first-out' method. Although the precise source of contamination could not be confirmed, investigators believe it was likely caused by either a contaminated food item or an infected food handler. 'I hope this study continues the conversation about the risk and importance of foodborne diseases and how they can be prevented. We urgently need national Shigella guidelines to guide outbreak responses,' Bezuidenhoudt said. She also urged people to seek medical care when ill. 'It is crucial for individuals with foodborne illness to seek healthcare for proper diagnosis and treatment, including specimen collection,' she said. According to the Notifiable Medical Conditions system, 437 foodborne outbreaks were reported between 2022 and 2024, but underreporting remains a concern. The public is reminded to practise good food hygiene by washing hands, cleaning surfaces and utensils, separating raw and cooked food, and cooking food thoroughly to at least 75°C. The PHBSA is a joint initiative of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the National Institute for Occupational Health. THE MERCURY
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Public warned as rabies continues to spread in SA rural provinces
Public warned as rabies continues to spread in SA rural provinces The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has stressed the need for increased public awareness about the ongoing threat of rabies. According to the latest Public Health Bulletin South Africa (PHBSA) surveillance report, rabies continues to pose a significant public health threat in South Africa, especially in the Eastern Cape, KZN, and Limpopo. Rabies is a viral disease primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, mostly dogs, via bites, scratches, or contact with mucous membranes or open wounds. 'Most human rabies cases are linked to dog bites, and the disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear,' the NICD said. The study, titled Epidemiological Trends of Animal Bites and Human Rabies Cases in Limpopo, South Africa, 2011–2023: A Retrospective, highlighted the significance of continuous surveillance to track incidents of animal bites and human rabies cases. The study found that the majority of human rabies cases are reported from these regions. It emphasises the need to identify high-risk areas for targeted interventions. The article is part of the PHBSA initiative, which is led by the NICD and the National Institute for Occupational Health. It provides timely and actionable disease surveillance information for South Africa and the wider Southern African Development Community. While rabies is almost 100% fatal, the NICD said it is preventable through timely and appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in humans following possible exposures. The NICD said rabies in dogs and cats can be controlled through vaccination. 'Each pet owner has a responsibility to contribute to reducing the risk of rabies by ensuring their pets are vaccinated against rabies. Understanding local patterns of animal bites and rabies exposure is essential to guiding targeted interventions, improving vaccination coverage, and ultimately saving lives.' Lead author of the study Unarine Makungo said the article offers crucial, evidence-based information regarding the persistent risk of rabies in Limpopo, where outbreaks continue to occur and disproportionately affect children. 'It highlights the importance of dog vaccination, public awareness, and timely medical care after animal bites. The findings are directly relevant to healthcare providers, policymakers, and community members who play a role in rabies prevention and control,' Makungo said. Makungo added that she hopes this surveillance will help guide targeted vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas, ensuring that at least 70% of the dog population is vaccinated. 'It should also inform public education initiatives on rabies risks and appropriate responses to animal bites. Additionally, it can support awareness for access to free and timely PEP, particularly in rural and underserved communities.' She emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the veterinary and human health sectors through the One Health approach. 'Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the incidence of rabies and animal-bite injuries, moving South Africa closer to achieving zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.' The study encourages the public to seek immediate medical care for PEP after a dog bite, which is available free of charge in the public sector and at a cost in the private sector. In the event of a dog bite, wounds and scratches should be washed immediately and thoroughly with soap or detergent and rinsed under running water for at least 15 minutes. The NICD is urging the public to report any suspected rabid animals to veterinary services or animal health technicians and not to try to capture or approach the animal. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
