Measles outbreak spreading – NICD

The National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD) said more than 20 new laboratory-confirmed measles cases had been detected across the country up to 21 January, increasing the number of infections to 421.

Gauteng reported six new cases from clinics within a two-kilometre radius in Ekurhuleni.

The measles cases reported in outbreak-affected provinces were mostly among the five to nine-year age group, but NICD spokesperson Sinenhlanhla Jimoh said there were also significant numbers of cases reported in children aged 10 to 14.

Child infections in Gauteng

In Gauteng, a total of 25 laboratory-confirmed cases had been reported.

“An outbreak was declared on 6 December after three laboratory-confirmed cases were reported at the Ethafeni clinic in Ekurhuleni,” she said.

Jimoh said 23 of the infected children in Gauteng had unknown vaccination statuses while two cases had been vaccinated.

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Five of the latest six cases reported in Ekurhuleni originated around the Daveyton area.

“This represents a focus on the infection that is likely to spread within the district unless rapid and immediate vaccination takes place,” she said.

Democratic Alliance (DA) health spokesperson Jack Bloom said child vaccinations had been slipping in Gauteng for some years.

“The Covid disruption worsened it. The incubation period is nine to 14 days. It is likely to get worse before it gets better.”

Measles ‘worse than Covid’

A concerted effort was needed to ensure all children from six months old were vaccinated.

Local general practitioner Dr Leon Odendaal said the distribution of the infections was interesting and asked: “How many of the positives were immigrants?”

“How effective are vaccination programmes in neighbouring countries? Is that the reason for the current outbreak?”

Odendaal said he considered measles a lot worse than Covid because of the 1/100 mortality rate.

“It is highly contagious but is preventable with a vaccine.”

Disease rates were increasing worldwide due to a decrease in immunisation, he said.

Medical expert Dr Angelique Coetzee said: “There was a time when it was compulsory to present a vaccine certificate in Grade 1. I’m not sure if that is still applicable.”

Those vaccinated as babies should have enough antibodies to prevent them from being infected with measles.

“It is never too late to vaccinate,” said the NICD. “Children may receive the measles vaccine … free of charge at primary health services,” Coetzee said.

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