KEEP CLEAR: Officials at the Kaaimans River in W ilderness near George
Tests done for contamination in Kaaimans estuary at Wilderness
THERE has been widespread panic following the death of an elderly Wilderness man, who apparently contracted a deadly bacterial infection after swimming in the Kaaimans River near George.
While authorities are awaiting test results, which should be available today, experts suspect that vibrio vulnificus – a dangerous bacterium often found in warm coastal waters around the world – could be present in the river.
While it has been confirmed that Frans Heunis, 81, died of organ failure caused by the waterborne bacteria, Eden District Municipality executive manager for community services Clive Africa said they still needed to confirm how the man had come into contact with it.
The bacteria can cause disease if contaminated seafood is consumed or if the victim had an open wound and was exposed to seawater.
But his wife Corlia, 79, is convinced her husband – who was born and raised in Wilderness Heights – was exposed to the bacteria while swimming in the Kaaimans River, as he did not consume any seafood before his death.
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