Measures in place to deal with Diphtheria outbreak

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is leaving “nothing to chance” as it deals with the outbreak of Diphtheria at the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre, says it’s National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale.

This after a 19-year-old inmate died and eight other inmates tested positive for the contagious bacterial infection at the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre in the Western Cape.

“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. The epidemiological investigation on the index case is still ongoing.

“Recognising the potential risks associated with communal living, we have implemented a comprehensive set of measures to mitigate the spread of the disease within the correctional setting.

“We are doing this because we also know that [a] Diphtheria outbreak in a correctional environment requires a coordinated and comprehensive response in order to contain the spread and provide appropriate medical care to the affected individuals,” he said at a media briefing on Monday.

Thobakgale outlined the measures taken which include:

• Vaccination campaign: The department has initiated a vaccination campaign to ensure that all eligible individuals receive the Diphtheria vaccine. A total of 342 inmates have been vaccinated. In terms of officials, the department stands at 36.
• Hygiene practices: Inmates and staff members are once more being educated and encouraged to practice enhanced hygiene, including regular handwashing with soap and water, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and the use of hand sanitizers. Facilities are being deep cleaned in an effort to minimize the risk of disease transmission. This involves pest control.
• Isolation: according to Thobakgale, direct contacts are  “effectively on day 16 of isolation”. Appropriate medical care is also provided to those classified as high risk.
• Regular Health screenings: Inmates and staff members are now subjected to regular health screenings to detect any potential cases early to enable DCS to prevent the spread of the disease and be ready to deal with new infections should they emerge.
• Medical attention: Health care professionals are available and are treating affected inmates. Appropriate medical treatment is also being offered. The Department of Health is also working closely with DCS in this regard thus ensuring a comprehensive response plan.

“We are leaving nothing to chance, health education efforts to inform inmates, DCS officials and service providers about the symptoms of Diphtheria, the importance of vaccination, and preventive measures are being amplified. Our health care team is vigilant in monitoring the situation and the infection prevention measures are for every individual in a correctional facility to follow through.

“The situation is calm and under control. No new cases have been reported in the past five days. Hence, we do believe that the measures that we have put in place shall be effective in ensuring the well-being of everyone in our care,” he said.

Roots of the outbreak

Reflecting on the events leading up to the outbreak, Thobakgale explained that the 19-year-old inmate who died, fell ill after being transported back to the facility following a court appearance on October 17.

“When the inmate showed signs of not feeling well, the Correctional Services Health Care officials treated him and a decision was taking that he be transferred to an outside hospital. At the time the inmate showed malaise and respiratory symptoms hence the transfer to Victoria Hospital on 28 October.

“He received further treatment and was tested for Diphtheria and the results came back positive on 02 November 2023. Unfortunately, the inmate’s condition deteriorated and he sadly passed away on 5 November 2023 at the Groote Schuur Hospital,” he said.

Thobakgale said following the inmate’s diagnosis, the department immediately embarked on a contact tracing exercise with some 54 inmates and 15 correctional services officials identified as contacts.

Some eight inmates tested positive.

“[The officials] were tested and released to isolate at home. The provisional results have since came back negative, awaiting confirmatory results.

“As a department, it was important that we act with necessary urgency. The health and well-being of our incarcerated inmates, staff members, and the surrounding community are of utmost importance to us, and we are obligated to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

“Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease, and through…comprehensive measures, we aim to minimize the risk of transmission at Pollsmoor Correctional facility,” he said.