Investigation and Control Service

In terms of the Regulations relating to Communicable Diseases and the Notification of Notifiable Medical Conditions - R 2438 of 1987, the Environmental Health section investigates all reported cases of communicable diseases that by it's nature has the potential to spread through the community with the assistance of environmental factors such as food, water, air, soil, insects, pests and sanitation. Investigations are conducted to determine the source of infection, to determine the level of risk to the public and to implement measures to prevent or to control the spread of the disease in such a way as to safeguard the general public.

Cholera Surveillance Program

Because Cholera has the potential to spread quickly within high risk communities the Environmental Health section has implemented a cholera surveillance program which will serve as an early warning system. Various representative sewer sample points have been identified across the entire City of Cape Town into which Moore pads are placed, on a monthly basis. After a week they are collected and analysed by the State Laboratory for the presence of cholera. A positive sample will be able to ensure that all medical and environmental health personnel is on alert and the relevant prevention and control measures can then be put into place so as to safeguard the general population of Cape Town.

Pest/Vector Control Program

Still under Construction

Medical Waste Control Program

As the indiscriminate handling and disposal of medical waste products poses a disease threat of the general public the Environmental Health section has placed various protocols in place. These protocols are supported by the City of Cape Town's Environmental Health By-Law - GN 6041 of 2003, which allows for the implementation of a medical waste control program which requires that all medical waste generators, transport companies and disposal facilities be registered with the City of Cape Town's Environmental Health section. The by-law also prescribes severe penalties for any person found to be dumping or handling medical waste indiscriminately.

What is Medical Waste?

• Cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals, e.g. from laboratories.
• Pathological waste, e.g. human tissue, body parts, organs and fluids.
• Human blood and blood products, e.g. anything contaminated with blood.
• Sharps, e.g. used and unused blades, injection needles and broken or disused vials.
• Dead animals and body parts. Isolation waste, e.g. waste from animals and humans known to be infected with highly contagious diseases.
• Pharmaceuticals, e.g. old or expired drugs and medicines.

Why is it so dangerous?

If a person comes into contact with contaminated waste material, it can infect that person with the very disease, which the patient was treated for, e.g. HIV (Aids), Hepatitis B or even anthrax or Rabies.

The different infectious organisms that are present may survive long periods in the waste, especially if it is kept moist – e.g. blood.

Who is at risk?

• Children – General public if such waste is indiscriminately dumped on any vacant land. This is particularly true in the case of children that play on open fields.
• Workers handling waste.
• “Pickers” operating on waste dump sites.
• Medical profession.

What should be done with such waste?

It must be safely stored in approved containers before removal by a registered medical waste company. The best available method is the incineration of this material at an approved incineration facility.

PARENTS!

PLEASE WARN YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE DANGERS OF PLAYING AROUND RUBBISH HEAPS OR DUMPING SITES, AND CONTACT YOUR NEAREST ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICE OR THE POLICE SHOULD YOU SEE ANY MEDICAL WASTE THAT HAS BEEN INDISCRIMANENTLY DUMPED.

Exhumation and Re-internment

The Environmental Health section is also involved with the exhumation and re-internment of human remains. Any person or undertakers who wish to perform an exhumation or re-internment must make application for approval to the environmental health section. Very strict health conditions are laid down in terms of the Exhumations Ordinance - 12 of 1980, and the procedure requires that an environmental health officer be present during the execution of such an exhumation or re-internment.

Keeping of Animals and Poultry Control Program

In order to promote public health, the Environmental Health section has to be able to maintain control over various types and numbers of animal and Poultry keeping within the boundaries of the City.

In terms of Part 2 of the City of Cape Town's Environmental Health By-Law - GN 6041 of 2003, and the City of Cape Town's Policy on Keeping Animals and Poultry, the Environmental Health section is able to determine the kind and numbers of animals and poultry for which a permit is required, as well as the applicable health requirements. Application forms for such permits must be made on the prescribed forms.