The Western Cape is grappling with a surge in measles outbreaks across urban areas, including Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Eerste River, Somerset West, Mitchells Plain, Kraaifontein, and Wesbank, reports Cape {town} Etc.
This rise is part of a trend that reflects a broader decline in childhood vaccination uptake throughout South Africa, which experts say poses a significant threat to public health and undermines national efforts to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases.
Statistics indicate that the region has witnessed multiple outbreaks of measles, rubella, and diphtheria in recent months, signalling gaps in population immunity.
The Western Cape’s minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, has stressed that ensuring widespread immunisation coverage across the province remains a top priority for the Department of Health and Wellness.
In response to the ongoing outbreaks, the department has intensified its immunisation efforts since October 2024 to safeguard young children from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
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‘To ensure we can continue to protect our communities through our vaccination efforts, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is collaborating with the National Department of Health and SAHPRA to maintain sufficient measles vaccination stock,’ Wenger stated.
This collaborative approach aims to address the immediate challenges posed by the outbreaks while also laying the groundwork for improved vaccination accessibility in the future.
The province has also implemented an early warning and response system designed to enhance coordination during outbreaks. ‘Targeted vaccination outreaches will be prioritised in the areas where we see a rapid increase in measles cases,’ Wenger added.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects the respiratory tract. Symptoms include high fever, rash, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and coughing, with healthcare practitioners capable of diagnosing the disease based on these clinical indicators.
Blood samples can also be collected for laboratory testing where necessary.
Wenger urges parents to be vigilant: ‘We ask that parents look out for measles symptoms and keep their children home when they have one or more of these symptoms so that we can curb the spread of this highly contagious disease. Should your child run a fever, feels sleepy, or struggles to eat, take them to the nearest clinic immediately.’
The potential complications of measles are significant, encompassing pneumonia, diarrhoea, brain infection, and even blindness. The risks are particularly heightened for infants under two years of age and for children who are malnourished. In light of this, access to vaccination is crucial.
‘Free childhood vaccines are available at all public health facilities, and catch-up doses can be given if a child has missed a vaccination. Vaccines are also available through private sector facilities and private-public partnerships,’ Wenger reassured parents.
‘We urge parents not to assume their children are immune, help us protect our children by taking them for their routine immunisations and signing consent forms when our school vaccination teams visit their schools,’ Wenger cautioned.
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Also read:
Western Cape infant immunisations fall 27% – outbreaks feared
Picture: WCG
