Limpopo Health Department stance in waterborne disease deaths

The Limpopo Department of Health has dismissed social media reports alleging that children in Seshego died after consuming contaminated water linked to cholera or other waterborne diseases.

In a statement issued on Monday, 5 January 2026, the department said it took the allegations seriously and immediately activated its disease surveillance systems.

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Seshego Hospital and Polokwane Hospital were placed on high alert from 24 December 2025 to closely monitor patients presenting with gastroenteritis symptoms such as diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

During December, 122 patients were treated for gastroenteritis at Seshego Hospital, with 26 admitted and 96 discharged after treatment. The department noted that the highest number of cases was recorded between 19 and 26 December 2025, with current figures having returned to normal levels.

Health authorities confirmed that no deaths related to gastroenteritis were recorded in the emergency departments of either hospital. Although three adult deaths occurred in wards before 20 December, none were linked to waterborne diseases, and no child deaths were recorded.

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The Department acknowledges community concerns and urges residents to remain calm, rely on verified information from official sources. Residents are encouraged to maintain good hygiene practices such as washing of hands and boiling of water and to seek medical care if symptoms such as diarrhoea or vomiting occur.

The department and the municipality are currently conducting health promotion campaigns in the identified areas to teach communities on water safety and hygiene.