Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has assured South Africans that COVID-19 can’t be transmitted through breast milk and breastfeeding.
He’s been speaking at the launch of World Breastfeeding Week.
This year’s local theme is Support breastfeeding for a healthier South Africa.
Mkhize has encouraged COVID-19 positive mothers to continue to breastfeed while observing all the health precautions of wearing a mask and washing hands.
Many are worried and asking many questions whether the coronavirus can be passed on through breastmilk and how can they protect themselves and their babies. I can assure you that the #COVID19 virus has not been found in breastmilk . #WorldBreastfeedingWeek pic.twitter.com/8hwkgcO598
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) August 4, 2020
He says many mothers and healthcare workers have concerns about passing the coronavirus on through breast milk.
“I can assure you that the COVID-19 virus has not been found in breast milk and research evidence has shown that the virus is not transmitted through breast milk or by giving breastmilk that has been expressed from a mother who is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19.
In the document below, Dr Zweli Mkhize speaks on breastfeeding:
