The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has declared a measles outbreak in the Western Cape Province following the detection of four cases of laboratory-confirmed measles in the City of Cape Town between 24 January 2023 and 17 February 2023.
According to the NICD, an outbreak is declared when three or more cases are confirmed in a health facility, district or sub-district within a month.
All cases confirmed in the Western Cape are epidemiologically unlinked; however, two cases, aged two and four years, are from the southern sub-district and presented at facilities only four kilometres from each other (Grassy Park and Sea Winds CHC). The third case (ten years old) is from Khayelitsha, and the fourth is likely a sporadic case in a 58-year-old commercial pilot.
This follows outbreaks in five other provinces, including Gauteng, Limpopo, Free State, Mpumalanga and the North West.
Measles is highly infectious and spreads rapidly from person to person. Measles can infect people of any age who have not been vaccinated (and have not previously been infected).
The City of Cape Town says there is currently a national measles vaccination campaign under way to curb the outbreak. Children between the ages of six months and 14 years and 11 months will receive an additional measles vaccination at public schools, crèches and City of Cape Town clinics.
Since 6 February 2023, 168,056 measles vaccines have been administered across the province to children in this age group.
City Health staff are visiting public schools and crèches to drop off the measles campaign pamphlets and consent forms.
“Parents and caregivers are urged to complete the consent form for their children as they cannot be vaccinated without consent. Children can also be taken to their nearest clinic for vaccination. The measles vaccine is very effective at preventing measles, and with a declared outbreak, it is our duty to ensure our children are protected,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.
Symptoms to look out for:
- High fever
- Malaise
- Cough
- Conjunctivitis (red and watery eyes)
- Runny nose
- Maculopapular non-itchy rash on face, neck, trunk and limbs
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