“The department wishes to reassure the community that it takes these allegations in a serious light, and that is why there are systems put in place to monitor the cases. “The department acknowledges community concerns and urges residents to remain calm, [and] rely on verified information from official sources,” said Shikwambana. Last month, news broke that there was a gastroenteritis outbreak in some parts of Polokwane Gastroenteritis, known as stomach flu, is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, causing symptoms such as watery diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps, typically from viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, or sometimes chemicals.
It’s usually caught from infected people or contaminated food or water. As a result of the outbreak, the department placed Seshego and Polokwane hospitals on high alert from December 24 2025 to closely monitor patients presenting with symptoms of gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Shikwambana said the department has made the following observations: • 122 patients presented at Seshego Hospital with gastroenteritis symptoms; • 26 patients were admitted and 96 were treated and discharged;
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