Water supplies and sanitary facilities in rural Transkei.

Between October 1982 and September 1983, an outbreak of cholera occurred in Transkei. A total of 678 patients with clinical illness were reported in a review of positive laboratory results. Subsequent to each report, the health department personnel began a rigorous contact-tracing process during which data on the environment were collected. A total of 1,157 standardised forms listing 6,615 persons were returned to the Epidemiological Unit. Of these respondents, 87.2% reported having 'no sanitary facilities available' and 96.4% 'no refuse disposal site'. Rivers, wells, springs, streams, dams and stagnant pools were recorded as the main sources of water supply in the study area. Whether this situation will remain unchanged or improve can be determined only by continued surveillance.