Centurion German measles outbreak rumours denied

Netcare Unitas hospital in Centurion has denied social media reports that there is an outbreak of rubella – also called German measles – at the facility, reports Centurion Rekord.

This followed social media posts over the weekend in which a mother claimed she was told by staff that her child was the 24th German measles case to be treated at the hospital.

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“The number of patients seen in our hospital’s emergency department for German measles was not out of the ordinary,” said general manager Robert Jordaan.

“At this stage, we are not concerned about a possible mass outbreak of German measles.”

He said it was important that the public know the symptoms of German measles.

“[This will help] you or anyone close to you can seek medical assistance should you suspect that you may have German measles.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include a mild fever of 38.9 degrees Celsius or lower, headache, a stuffy or runny nose, inflamed or red eyes, enlarged or tender lymph nodes at the base of the skull or the back of the neck and behind the ears.

It also includes a fine, pink rash that begins on the face and quickly spreads to the torso and then the arms and legs, before disappearing in the same sequence.

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