Kalumbi Shangula, Namibia’s Minister of Health and Social Services, confirmed cases of typhoid fever in the capital district on Wednesday.
“Following the report of the first case in January, nine contacts, including three close contacts, were traced and tested for typhoid fever.
According to the minister, two of the three close contacts tested positive.
“Cases of typhoid fever have been reported previously in Namibia, especially in Kavango East and Kavango West regions due to the use of river water,’’ Shangula said.
“Windhoek district in Khomas recorded only one case of typhoid fever in the past five years.’’
Typhoid fever, a serious public health issue worldwide, is spread through food and water contaminated by the faeces and urine of an infected individual.
The most common source of transmission is contaminated water.
To prevent further outbreaks of the disease, Shangula urged the public to remain calm and follow the measures put in place.
The minister said a hepatitis E outbreak in Namibia has ended.
Namibia was first alerted to the Hepatitis E virus in December 2017, when cases were reported in Windhoek’s informal settlements.
Throughout August 2021, 8,090 cases were reported across the country as a result of the outbreak.