The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has established a task team, including medical specialists, to establish the origin of the listeriosis outbreak in the Metro.
This follows confirmation that nine people in Port Elizabeth have contracted the disease. The listeriosis bacteria is found in the general environment, including soil, water and vegetation.
South Africa has had over 700 cases since the beginning of last year, with at least 61 deaths.
Mayoral committee member for infrastructure, Masixole Zinto says, “There is an intergovernmental relationship between our province and our metro Department of Public Health. They are busy trying to find the source of this listeriosis that has been found in these patients. At the moment we are busy trying to establish exactly where and isolate it.”
The metro has also refuted claims that the water is not safe to drink.
They say the water has been tested by an independent accredited laboratory.
Zinto adds: “Our water is not contaminated by the bacteria and it’s safe to drink, we have sent samples to Cape Town and they came back negative. We are working against the clock to protect our residents. People should refrain from making reckless statements because they have not tested our water.”
