City of Joburg ready for possible measles outbreak
The City of Johannesburg is on high alert for any cases of measles following a health alert issued by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Health and Social Development MMC, Dr Mpho Phalatse says the NICD issued a health alert in late January following a measles outbreak in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape.
Phalatse says measles surveillance and a follow-up of suspected measles cases in primary healthcare facilities, hospitals and ports of entry are ongoing in Gauteng.
There has been nine confirmed cases in the city.
Phalatse says parents and caregivers need to ensure that their children's vaccinations are up to date.
ALSO READ: No malaria threat in Pretoria - expert
"Parents and community members can help by ensuring that all children are immunised against measles at the correct ages. Any child who is suspected to be suffering from measles should be taken to the nearest health facility for examination and investigation,"? says Phalatse.
The City has vaccinated all nine cases, as well persons under the age 15 years within the affected communities.
This has been done as part of efforts to contain any possible further spread of the illness.
Phalatse says measles is an airborne respiratory infection caused by the rubeola virus. Although it is usually seen in children it can also affect adolescents and adults. With symptoms such as body rash, fever, loss of appetite, coughing, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and coryza (runny nose). Measles has an incubation period of between 10 and 14 days, often longer in adults than in children.