Watch: Measles Outbreak in Cape Metro

Measles outbreak declared in Cape Metro

The City of Cape Town’s Health Department is encouraging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated as a measles outbreak has been declared in the Cape Metro. Read more below:

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases issued an alert of a measles outbreak in the Cape Metro district.

In line with the World Health Organization International Health Regulations, an outbreak is defined as the occurrence of three or more confirmed measles cases in a health facility/district/sub-district within one month.

The province had four laboratory confirmed measles cases from 24 January to 17 February 2023, and as such an outbreak has been declared.

There is currently a national measles vaccination campaign under way to curb the measles outbreak, which kicked off after an outbreak in five other provinces. 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.

If a child is absent from crèche or school on vaccination day, parents or caregivers can take the child to their nearest clinic where the additional measles vaccine will be administered.

Currently, children receive the first measles vaccination at the age of six months and the second one at 12 months, as part of the national immunisation schedule. However, some children do not receive these vaccinations for a host of reasons. The result is that, every few years there is an outbreak, sometimes even a full-blown epidemic.

Measles is highly infectious and spreads rapidly from person to person. Persons of any age who are not vaccinated (and have not had previous infection) can get measles.

The symptoms include:
· A high fever
· A rash
· Runny nose
· Cough
· Red and watery eyes

Anyone who has these symptoms should be taken to their nearest clinic or GP so that the diagnosis can be confirmed with a blood test.

Tips to care for a child at home who may have measles:
· Keep your child away from other people until the rash has cleared up for four days
· Keep the room dark where your child is resting
· Make sure they drink a lot of clean water
· Eat healthy, fresh foods

‘The vaccine is safe and provides lifelong immunity against the disease. We can protect our children from serious complications of measles such as diarrhoea, dehydration, middle ear infection, brain infection (encephalitis), blindness and even death,’ added Councillor Van der Ross.

The vaccine is free at all City clinics.

If your child experiences any major discomfort as a result of the vaccine, visit the nearest clinic or your GP.