Measles outbreak Cape Town

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) issued an alert of a measles outbreak in the Cape Metro district. Image: Pixabay

NICD declares Tshwane measles outbreak OVER

The NICD said the measles outbreak in Tshwane can be declared over since more than two incubation periods have passed without any new cases.

Measles outbreak Cape Town

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) issued an alert of a measles outbreak in the Cape Metro district. Image: Pixabay

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said the measles outbreak in Tshwane, Gauteng can be declared over as no new cases linked to it have been detected in more than 42 days, as of 11 July.

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NO FURTHER CASES LINKED TO MEASLES OUTBREAK DETECTED

In total four laboratory-confirmed cases of measles were detected and linked to the Tshwane outbreak. The last such case was reported on 25 June 2022.

There was an additional case of measles of measles detected in the Tshwane district, however, it had no epidemiological link to the outbreak, which started at a home-based school facility.

“The measles outbreak in the Tshwane district can be declared over since more than 42 days (two incubation periods) have passed without detecting a measles case linked to the measles outbreak,” said the NICD.

VACCINATION CAMPAIGN

In response to the outbreak, the City of Tshwane and the Gauteng Department of Health conducted public health investigations that culminated in a measles vaccination campaign in crèches and schools where the outbreak occurred along with ring immunisation in areas where another measles case was detected.

The provincial department of health plans to target children aged between 6 months and 14 years in a measles vaccination campaign in a bid to increase immunity and prevent further cases.

“Clinicians and caregivers should continue to check the children’s vaccination booklets to ensure they are up to date with their measles vaccination.

“The measles vaccine is given routinely at 6 and 12 months of age. Catch-up measles vaccine doses should be given to children who missed their measles vaccinations when they have contact with a healthcare professional,” said the NICD.

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