The spokesperson of the Department of Health, Mondli Mvambi, said the 42-year-old woman from Parys died yesterday (8/6). She was admitted to the Boitumelo Hospital in Kroonstad, where she took her last breath.

"Laboratory tests confirmed her death was attributable to cholera."

The MEC for Health, Mathabo Leeto, has sent her condolences to the family.

ALSO READ: Breaking News: Free State records first cholera death

Mvambi urges the public not to listen to "opinions that are not scientifically supported by facts", but to believe information about the cause of death as confirmed by laboratory tests. "The Department of Health urges people to wash their hands and boil water before consuming it. If anyone experiences slight symptoms of diarrhoea, they must please go to our health facilities to get help as a matter of urgency."

The first person in the Free State to die due to cholera was a 33-year-old woman from Parys who succumbed on 25 May at the Parys district hospital.

The province has eight confirmed cases of cholera. In Hammanskraal, Gauteng, 23 people died due to cholera.

ALSO READ: Gift of the Givers helps in Free State after cholera outbreak

The disaster response organisation Gift of the Givers visited Vredefort on Wednesday (7/6) to assist residents with clean water. A total of 2 304 5-litre bottles and 5 000 dehydration sachets were distributed to residents in the area.

OFM News