This follows the tragic death of Wilderness Heights landowner, Frans Heunis (81) who bumped his leg whilst swimming in the Kaaimans River on 1 February 2016, and then became very ill after the wound started festering.
Kaaimans River was closed on Wednesday, but reopened yesterday.
A circular was sent out this week to local doctors to give advice on how to handle patients who have been exposed to the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. The bacteria occurs naturally in rivers but becomes highly virulent when the water temperature rises above 20 degrees Celcius.
Dr Delene Brink of Pathcare in George confirmed: "Doctors can treat people who have an open wound and who have been exposed to the bacteria by giving them an ordinary anti-biotic. It is not necessary for anyone who has had a swim in the Kaaimans River this week to be given an anti- biotic simply because they may have been exposed to the bacteria. It only becomes necessary if a patient has an open wound. Hikers, swimmers and visitors to the Kaaimans River area do not need any treatment if they have just been in contact with the water.”
The public is warned to wash any wound that is exposed to seawater with soap and clean water. Seek medical help care immediately for any wound that appears infected.
The public is urged to use gloves when handling shell fish harvested in estuaries and to cook it for at least 10 minutes at 191 degrees celcius before eating.
* The bacteria is definitely not linked to sewage or any presence of E. coli but merely an environmental bacteria that thrives in abnormally high water temperatures.
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