GEORGE NEWS - The recent heatwave and abnormally high water temperatures (above 20°C) recorded in local estuaries' inter-tidal zones, created the perfect conditions for the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria to cause infection and possible death when in contact with an open wound.
Len du Plessis, manager of planning at the Garden Route National Park (GRNP), said, "It really was an extreme situation. It is very rare that our coastal water reaches such high temperatures of between 20 and 31°C, and this is due to the recent extreme hot weather conditions."
This is small comfort to the Heunis
family, whose loss came to the fore last
week.
Frans Heunis (81), of the Wilderness Heights farm Kaaimanskop, died just five days after he was infected by the bacteria. The possibility that he was infected during a swim in the Map of Africa section of the Kaaimans River on 1 February when he grazed his shin, is being investigated.
Having identified the harmful bacteria, Dr Stephen Hardcastle, a George physician, alerted local authorities.
"It is regarded as an Index case - the first time it is recorded in the Southern Cape region."
Without breaching patient confidentiality, Dr Hardcastle said at a press conference at the Eden District Municipality's Joint Operation Centre (JOC) last week, "He (Frans Heunis) just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
The day after his swim, Tuesday 2 February, Heunis was feverish and a GP diagnosed flu.
By Wednesday his condition had deteriorated so rapidly that he went into septic shock from exposure to the 'flesh-eating' bacteria.
Dr Hardcastle immediately admitted Heunis to the Mediclinic Intensive Care Unit where he tested positive for Vibrio vulnificus. According to his family, Heunis was in tremendous pain. He died on Friday 5 February. His funeral service, led by Ds Human Coetzee, was held in the George Gereformeerde Kerk on Wednesday 10 February.
Kaaimans reopened
Last week Wednesday, 10 February, Eden District Municipality closed the picnic area in Kaaimans River as a precautionary measure. But one day later, on Thursday, it was decided not to treat the incident as a regional crisis and to first await the water sample results.
In the meantime, SANParks, CapeNature and local municipalities were alerted to the possible presence of such a virulent bacteria. Local doctors and clinics were also informed as to what antibiotic to prescribe to people who may have been infected through an open wound while swimming in warm (brackish) estuary water.
This week Gerhard Otto said the warm temperatures currently experienced are expected to prevail.
Water temperatures of up to 28°C have been recorded. The bacteria only thrives in a low saline/warm water combination; and does not pose a threat in cold seawater. Local beaches pose no risk to bathers.
Vibrio vulnificus can also cause disease in those who eat contaminated seafood. Among healthy people, ingestion of Vibrio vulnificus can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. There is no evidence for person-to-person transmission of Vibrio vulnificus. Infections may lead to skin breakdown and ulceration (gangrene). People who are immuno-compromised are at higher risk.
In a seperate incident, Nandi Mgwadlamba, SANParks spokesperson, said an 85-year old Swiss national died of natural causes on 10 February in the GRNP Ebb and Flow rest camp. "The two incidents are not related."
Du Plessis said further water test results were being awaited to determine whether any further precautions need to be taken.
Mgwadlamba said SANParks scientists also confirmed the bacteria is triggered by extreme heat.
"The Kaaimans River incident/death is a very rare case."
Frans Heunis on the patio of his Kaaimanskop homestead with his brother, Piet Heunis. The retired schoolmaster was planning to move to Groenkloof retirement village in George. His wife, Corlia, said she will not make any rash decisions and foresees staying on.
Click here for previous articles:
- Water samples test negative
- Kaaimans River: Initial bacteria tests negative
- Update: Kaaimans River bacteria
- Don't swim in estuaries with open wounds
- Kaaimans River opened
- Kaaimans River closed
ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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