Measles cases still on the rise in SA
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has confirmed 169 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles between the second week of October and the first week of December.
The cases were reported in North West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Gauteng.
The NICD says the cases increased in Limpopo with 98 cases and in Mpumalanga with 50 cases.
The institute says of the 169 cases, 125 had an unknown vaccination status, 18 were vaccinated and 26 were unvaccinated.
Earlier this month, Health Minister Joe Phaahla raised concerns about the unknown vaccination status of a significant number of people diagnosed with measles.
The NICD confirmed that the number of measles cases in the country remain on the rise.
"Four of our nine provinces have outbreaks. It is imperative to know the signs and symptoms. Measles patients present with fever, rash, and one or more of these symptoms, cough, red eyes, and runny nose. Complications of measles include pneumonia, diarrhoea, dehydration, encephalitis, blindness and death. Measles complications are severe in malnourished children and young infants under 2 years of age. Clinicians and caregivers should be on alert for anyone presenting with the aforementioned signs and symptoms.
“Persons of any age who are not vaccinated can be infected and develop the disease. Our current measles vaccination coverage is between 75-85%, below the required coverage of 95% to stop transmission. Road-to-health booklets should be checked to ensure measles vaccinations are up-to-date. Measles vaccines are given routinely at six and 12 months of age. It is never too late to vaccinate against measles.”
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