The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) issued an alert of a measles outbreak in the Cape Metro district. Image: Pixabay
There is no measles outbreak in Tshwane
City of Tshwane assures residents there is no measles outbreak. But warns the situation could change.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) issued an alert of a measles outbreak in the Cape Metro district. Image: Pixabay
The City of Tshwane assured residents on Wednesday 4 January 2023 that there is currently no outbreak of measles in the capital city.
MMC OF HEALTH WARNS THIS SITUATION COULD CHANGE
MMC of Health Rina Marx warns that this situation can change at any time as cross-provincial travel is expected to increase prior to the reopening of schools.
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TSHWANE IS READY TO RESPONSE IN CASE OF MEASLES OUTBREAK
The MMC assures residents that there is no measles outbreak in Tshwane, and that the situation is being closely monitored.
She says their outbreak response teams are ready to manage the situation.
“The City has noted with concern the recent declaration of a measles outbreak in South Africa by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
So far, Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and the North West have recorded cases.
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“The City of Tshwane is closely monitoring measles cases. Tshwane laboratories have confirmed 14 cases since May 2022.
“The latest confirmed case of measles in Tshwane was reported on 30 December 2022 and it affected a four-year-old boy from Hammanskraal.”
Rina Marx
Marx advise parents and caregivers to take their children to their nearest clinics for vaccination.
She said the NICD has indicated that the current measles outbreak in South Africa is due to the low vaccine coverage.
Measles is a highly contagious but preventable disease.
Symptoms include fever, a rash, cough, red eyes, and a running nose.
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Marx says complications can include diarrhea, dehydration, brain infection, blindness, and death.
According to Marx measles complications are more severe in infants younger than two and children who are malnourished.
In December 2022, Tshwane implemented a measles vaccination campaign targeting children aged 6-months to 15-years.
The City also launched an awareness campaign to mobilise and keep communities informed through local radio stations and social media.
