Estimating the costs of diarrhoea and epidemic dysentery in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa

Inadequate water supply and sanitation are largely responsible for the high levels of diarrhoeal disease in developing countries. With more than 12 m. people without adequate levels of water supply and sanitation. South Africa is no exception. This paper presents a preliminary screening assessment of the impacts and costs of diarrhoeal disease in South Africa, which indicates that every year in South Africa about 43 000 deaths, 3 m. incidences of illness requiring treatment and R3.4 bn. may be directly attributed to diarrhoeal disease. It also indicates that the current Shigella dysenteriae type 1 epidemic in KwaZulu-Natal may have cost about R120 m. and caused 1 000 deaths during 1995. This re-emphasises the need for urgent action in the provision of water supply and sanitation infrastructure, together with appropriate hygiene education and health services, to all disadvantaged South Africans.