Renthia Kaimbi
Cholera cases in Grootfontein have more than tripled in three weeks as suspected infections rise to 50.
The outbreak was first flagged on 18 November with one suspected case.
By 24 November, health authorities were investigating six cases, three of which were confirmed by the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP).
As of yesterday, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is tracking 50 suspected cases in the Grootfontein district.
Laboratory testing by the NIP has confirmed 10 positive cases. Twenty-eight suspected cases tested negative.
Four samples have not yet been tested, one result is pending, and two patients are currently hospitalised.
No deaths have been reported. All cases are linked to the Kap and Bou and Blikkiesdorp informal settlements.
The sharp rise has raised concern among health officials and residents.
Sources told Windhoek Observer that overcrowding, limited access to clean water, and shared sanitation facilities are driving the spread of the waterborne disease.
Community members said the approaching rainy season could worsen conditions if action is delayed.
“We only saw the municipality scraping landfills and there is a communal water tank on the ground but we still don’t have enough toilets. When water is delivered, it’s not enough for everyone to even boil, because we use it for other things. The outbreak is moving faster than the help,” said a community member.
In response, the ministry has activated an Incident Management System at national and regional level and deployed support teams to Grootfontein.
Coordination meetings with local stakeholders are ongoing, and requests for additional resources from the region are being processed.
Surveillance has been intensified through active case searches at all health facilities, including private clinics and hospitals.
Rapid Diagnostic Test kits have been supplied to the local laboratory to speed up confirmation.
Health workers and trained volunteers are also conducting education and sensitisation campaigns in Kap and Bou and Blikkiesdorp to promote cholera prevention.
Within healthcare facilities, hygiene protocols are being strengthened with support from Otjiwarongo. Hospital cleaners have received training on cholera infection control, and case management training for health staff was conducted on 2 December.
The ministry said the response faces major challenges, including a shortage of isolation facilities, limited transport for surveillance teams, and insufficient health education materials. It also noted that water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in the affected communities remain poor and that the supply of rapid diagnostic tests is not enough.
Next steps include distributing more health information materials, setting up a dedicated area for patient management, securing additional vehicles for response teams and engaging the municipality to speed up improvements to water and sanitation services in the affected settlements.
