Symptoms of the viral infection include fever, rash, runny nose, red eyes and a cough. Picture: iStock
Gauteng and the Western Cape have been identified as the provinces with the most cases of rubella in the country.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a total number of 10 137 positive cases of rubella have been identified in the country between January and November 2024 which is higher than cases recorded last year.
The NICD on Thursday confirmed that the country is battling an outbreak of rubella.
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Symptoms of the viral infection include fever, rash, runny nose, red eyes and a cough.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said although rubella is highly contagious, it is a vaccine preventable disease.
Mohale said while more than 90% of the total cases are in children under 15 years of age accounting for more than 8 300 cases, only one patient is over the age of 50 years.
“The disease spreads from person to person through droplets coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person. Children and pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe health complications of rubella.
“Parents and caregivers are urged to closely keep an eye on the health condition of their children and look out for common symptoms which include rash, fever, sore throat, headache, cough, runny nose, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and nausea. Symptoms develop two to three weeks after exposure,” Mohale said.
Mohale said public healthcare facilities will remain accessible throughout the festive season.
“There is no need for public to panic, but members of the public are urged to present themselves or their loved ones with suspected rubella symptoms without delays for early detection, effective treatment and to prevent further transmission.”
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