Limpopo health probes source of Bilharzia outbreak

The Limpopo Health Department says it is investigating the source of a Bilharzia outbreak in the province.

Last week, 142 learners from Malwandla Primary School in Tzaneen received medical treatment after displaying bilharzia-related symptoms.

Bilharzia is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms, which affects the urinary tract and intestines.

The Limpopo Department of Health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana says they are working with the water service authority to test water sources in the area.

“The first test that was done by the service authority was at the school because that was the common denominator for the kids. But now that we’ve got kids from other villages and other areas, we then have to look at all these aspects.”

“We are happy because the specimen at the river that we [are] speaking about has been taken and we are awaiting results. We actually also requested them to look at other rivers in the nearby areas. We’ve got Thabila River, Ritavi and so on that needs to be looked at. We also want to look at the private pools because it looks like we’ve got an outbreak on our hands,” adds Shikwambana.

VIDEO | 142 learners test positive for Bilharzia in Limpopo: