November 10, 2023

Diphtheria outbreak at Pollsmoor Prison leaves one prisoner dead

Cape Town - A young prisoner has died and eight others are in isolation at Pollsmoor Prison following a diphtheria outbreak.

Two staff members are awaiting laboratory results while being treated for the bacterial nose and throat disease.

The Department of Correctional Services confirmed the Medium A section of the prison is where the outbreak began and is an area of concern where visitation will be affected.

Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla said the prisoner, a 19-year-old man, presented symptoms on October 28 and was referred to a local hospital for medical care. He died on Sunday.

The Cape Argus approached the National Prosecuting Authority and the Department of Justice and Correctional Services to establish how prisoners attending court cases were affected but has yet to receive a response.

Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said laboratory results had confirmed the disease.

It has yet to be determined how the prisoner was infected.

"Throat swabs were collected the same day for culture laboratory testing and the results came back positive five days later on November 2," said Mohale. Unfortunately, his health continued to deteriorate until he regrettably passed away."


DCS national spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said they were working closely with the outbreak teams but did not comment on whether prisoners attending court were affected.

"Containment at this stage is key and the facility is managing movement of inmates and officials at Medium A, where diphtheria has been detected.

"The department is working closely with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) in managing a possible outbreak.

"This development will affect visits at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre Medium A in an effort to contain any further spread of diphtheria."

Mohale explained that an investigation began to trace infection and that public health measures were taken to place the outbreak under control.

This included the contact tracing of inmates, correctional services staff, consulting healthcare workers and emergency services personnel.