More children vaccinated following Tshwane measles outbreak

The Tshwane metro says about 7 000 children have been vaccinated against measles in the region following an outbreak of the disease last month.

Last month, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said Tshwane was experiencing an outbreak after three people were infected with measles in a period of two weeks.

Tshwane health MMC Rina Marx said after the cases were reported, health officials embarked on a campaign that resulted in the vaccination of 7 000 children.

She said the metro’s clinics remain ready and equipped to attend to health emergencies and future outbreaks.

“Our healthcare workers are qualified to handle emergencies and are closely monitoring any possible notifiable disease outbreak,” she said.

Last week, the NICD said the metro was no longer experiencing a measles outbreak.

“The outbreak can be declared over since more than 42 days (two incubation periods) have passed without detecting a new case,” NICD said in a statement.

“As of July 11, no new laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in Tshwane. The last one was reported on June 25,” the statement read.

According to the NICD, the last person infected was not linked to the home-based school outbreak that infected three.

“Clinicians and caregivers should continue to check the children’s vaccination booklets to ensure they are up to date with their measles vaccination,” the NICD said.

“The measles vaccine is given routinely at six and 12 months of age.

“Catch-up doses should be given to children who missed their measles vaccinations.”

NCID said the provincial government was planning a measles vaccination campaign targeting children aged six months to 14 years to increase immunity and prevent new cases.

Pretoria mother Nicoline Trump said her 15-month-old daughter recovered within two weeks of getting infected.

“She started developing red spots on her stomach and it spread to her back, legs and arms just within two days. I found this weird because I did not use any new products on her,” Trump said.

“I went to DisChem to get medical assistance and they told me that they think she has measles. Thereafter, I went to the doctor and he gave us a prescription for antibiotics and three days later, I could see that the red spots were fading.”

Trump said her daughter’s symptoms included a mild fever.

“I was not too concerned because she had both her measles vaccination at six and 12 months. It is not as bad as it would have been if she had not been vaccinated.”

According to the NICD, measles symptoms include a cough, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and a runny nose.

ALSO READ: Home for the fragile elderly announces passing of beloved resident

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram