Unknown vaccination status of many diagnosed with measles a concern - Phaahla
The Department of Health says it has been unable to determine the vaccination status of a significant number of people diagnosed with measles.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla briefed the media in Boksburg on Thursday on a range of issues ahead of the festive season.
Phaahla said a total of 137 measles cases were confirmed between October and December.
“The outbreak has been confirmed in four provinces. Limpopo and Mpumalanga have reported 89 and 40 cases respectively. Another outbreak was declared in the North West province on 2 December after three cases were reported. On the 6th of December three cases were reported in Gauteng. The WHO defines a measles outbreak as 3 cases reported in a single district in one month.”
“Of the 137 cases, 98 has an unknown vaccination status, 17 had a history of vaccination while 122 were unvaccinated.”
Phaahla said the government is working to curb the outbreak.
“Provincial and district outbreak teams have been mobilised in line with the outbreak response guidelines and have implemented the necessary response measures.”
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