National Commissioner of the Correctional Service Department Sam Thubakgale said his department is taking strict measures to prevent and control the spread of Diphtheria at the Pollsmoor Correctional Facility.
Giving an update on the outbreak earlier the department has confirmed that bacterial infection has claimed the life of a 19-year-old inmate and eight others have tested positive for Diphtheria.
“The Department of Health in the Province of the Western Cape was also informed. And it is important to acknowledge the urgency at which they responded and sprang into action. A total number of 54 Remand Detainees from B Section at Medium A were identified to be contacts with the index case. They were immediately isolated and the baseline assessment was conducted,” Thubakgale said. The national commissioner for the department of correctional confirmed that a vaccination campaign was underway at Pollsmoor Prison to curb the outbreak.
“We have initiated a vaccination campaign to ensure that all eligible individuals receive the diphtheria vaccine. Vaccination is a proven and effective method to prevent the onset and transmission of the disease. A total of 342 inmates have been vaccinated. In terms of officials, we are standing at 36. We would like to assure the public and stakeholders that we are taking proactive measures to address and contain any possible spread of the disease,” Thobakgale said.
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