One-hundred-and-thirty new diarrhoea cases were reported after an outbreak of the illness in Carolina, Mpumalanga, the provincial health department said on Thursday.

Spokesperson Mpho Gabashane said the cases were reported on Wednesday, bringing the total number of people reported to be suffering from diarrhoea in the area to 782.

One person was still in hospital, dehydrated but in a stable condition, he said.

"We may see people coming in a week or so.... but this number should subside in the coming weeks."

Gabashane said the situation was improving due to interventions like public education and the chlorination of water. On Wednesday a new chlorinator was installed in the area.

Municipal manager Dumisa Mango said tests were still being done to determine the cause of the outbreak, but there had been an overflow of water in the area.

The water appeared to have been "dirty", he said.

"We are on top of the situation," said Mango of the outbreak.

Sapa