Port Alfred cholera scare

A STRAIN of the bacteria that cause cholera has been found in floodwater and soil samples in Port Alfred’s Medolino valley.

Rhodes University pharmaceutical biochemistry research scientist Roman Tandlich found vibrio cholerae among other bacteria in samples he took last November.

He did the tests after residents, concerned about the polluted floodwater, approached him.

His initial tests found an e.coli count of more than 100 000 cells per 100ml in a water sample from the flooded area, covering 17.2ha.