Increase of measles reported across 5 provinces – NICD

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported a spike in cases of measles across the country, with a total of 227 laboratory-confirmed cases.

These were for specimens collected from epidemiological week 40 (ending 8 October 2022) to epidemiological week 50 (ending 17 December 2022) across all provinces.

Measles outbreak

From epidemiological week 40 to 50, a total of 216 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported from five provinces with a declared measles outbreak.

According to the NICD’s provincial breakdown, there were:

• 110 cases in Limpopo
• 64 in Mpumalanga
• 27 in North West
• 10 cases in Gauteng
• 5 known cases in the Free State

Consistent rise

“The number of cases continues to increase daily as blood and throat swabs are submitted to the NICD for measles serology and PCR testing,” Senior Communications Manager at NICD, Sinenhlanhla Jimoh, said in a statement on Thursday.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to detect genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus.

She said prevention and control of measles outbreaks can only be achieved through vaccination.

Immunisation campaigns

The NICD urged clinicians across the country to be on the lookout for measles cases.

“It is understood that the health departments in the respective provinces have commenced with or are planning immunisation campaigns,” Jimoh said.

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As of last week Thursday, there were a total of 169 cases of measles outbreak cases reported from 11 October to 7 December 2022 across four provinces:

• North West
• Mpumalanga
• Limpopo
• Gauteng

The age of cases across the country ranges from 2 months to 42 years; 44% of cases were in the 5-9 years age group and 28% in the 1-4 years age group.

Of the 169 cases, 125 had an unknown vaccination status, 18 were vaccinated and 26 were unvaccinated.

What is Measles?

As per the NICD website, measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus, with infected patients suffering from fever and with a rash that looks like small, red, flat spots over the body.

The rash does not form blisters and is not itchy or painful.

Other signs include:

• Cough
• Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
• Coryza (running nose).

Complications of measles can include diarrhoea, dehydration, brain infection (encephalitis), blindness and death.

Complications are more severe for infants under the age of 2 years, as well as malnourished children.

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