More than 100 students and staff at Rhodes University in Makhanda have fallen ill with symptoms of gastroenteritis, prompting an investigation by the Eastern Cape Department of Health after preliminary water tests reportedly detected E. coli, elevated coliform counts and low chlorine levels.
Cases, symptoms and where the ill were treated
Provincial health officials said a total of 111 cases were reported to the university and the department. Affected individuals presented with diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting. Some students missed classes as a result.
The Department’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team confirmed that several referrals from the university were observed at Settlers Hospital. The university has also set up a facility on campus where people with mild symptoms receive assessment and rehydration. Those needing more intensive care have been referred to the hospital for further assessment and treatment.
Water tests and an interagency response
Preliminary testing conducted at the university’s Microbiology Laboratory reportedly found high coliform counts, the presence of E. coli and low chlorine levels. The health department said the significance of these findings, and any direct link between the water results and the illnesses, are still being assessed.
“Verification of the reported cases and further assessment of the situation are ongoing,” the department’s spokesperson said.
To coordinate the response, the Makhanda Municipality is establishing a war room. The municipality will work with environmental health practitioners, health promoters, provincial epidemiologists, university personnel and other stakeholders to investigate possible sources and to manage containment measures.
Advice to students, staff and residents
Health officials urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting or stomach cramps to seek medical attention, maintain adequate hydration and practise good hygiene. The department said it would continue to monitor developments and provide public updates.
- Seek medical care early if you have persistent vomiting, severe diarrhoea, high fever or signs of dehydration.
- Maintain fluid intake, use oral rehydration where available, and avoid food preparation for others while symptomatic.
- Follow campus and municipal notices about water use, boil-water advisories or alternative water supplies if issued.
Context and implications
Outbreaks of gastroenteritis linked to contaminated water can spread quickly in communal living settings such as university residences. Detection of E. coli and elevated coliforms typically indicates faecal contamination or failures in water treatment or distribution, while low chlorine residuals suggest insufficient disinfection.
For Makhanda residents and the university community, the priority is protecting those already ill, preventing new cases and identifying whether the campus water supply, local municipal supply or another source is implicated. The municipality’s war room and the provincial epidemiologists will aim to establish the contamination point, advise on immediate mitigations — such as boosting disinfection, issuing boil-water notices or supplying safe water — and recommend longer-term corrective measures if infrastructure failings are found.
What to watch for next
The department said it will release further information as verification and laboratory assessments continue. Key developments to expect include:
| Expected update | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Confirmatory laboratory results | Will determine whether E. coli in water samples matches strains found in patients |
| Municipal water testing and supply advisory | Will guide immediate public-health actions such as boil-water notices or alternative supplies |
| Case numbers and severity | Will indicate whether the outbreak is contained or expanding |
The provincial department and the university will continue monitoring the situation and updating the public, officials said. In the short term, students and staff with symptoms should use the campus health facility or seek care at Settlers Hospital as directed.
This story will be updated as authorities publish further findings and public-health guidance.
