Typhoid fever
Deaths were initially diagnosed as pneumonia and an enteric fever which originated from a contaminated drinking water reservoir at the town. On the 31 May 1896, the mine doctor reported five deaths due to chicken pox. At the beginning of July 1896, 200 new workers started working at the Koffiefontein mine of which 96 fell ill and two died. The miners were later diagnosed with Typhoid fever which is associated with poor sanitation.