The Johannesburg Health District has launched an awareness campaign to educate residents about measles disease.
ALSO READ: The health benefits of yoga for kids of all ages
According to a statement from the Health Department, Ward-Based Outreach Teams are conducting door to door, visiting households to provide education and distributing pamphlets with measles information.
Health promotion practitioners are on the other had providing health talks in clinics to ensure that information on measles is well conveyed.
“Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1, 000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
“Measles may cause pregnant women who have not had the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine to give birth prematurely or have a low-birth-weight baby,” explained Nkhiphitheni Munyai, Deputy Director for Public Health in Johannesburg.
“Measles is an infectious disease that is caused by measles virus. It is usually passed by one person to the other through direct and close contact of through sneezing and coughing.
“Measles affects mostly children under the age of 5 years and can also occur in older children, as well as adults who have not been vaccinated or who have not previously had the disease.
ALSO READ: Just breathe: Five quick and easy breathing exercises to boost your health
According to Munyai, for the past six months no measles cases were confirmed in the Johannesburg area.
“Since January we had 16 suspected cases of measles in the Johannesburg area.
“Further tests were done to these suspected cases, the results came out negative. I can safely confirm that so far there are no confirmed measles cases in Johannesburg,” he explained.
In addition, Munyai urges parents, caregivers and guardians to ensure that children are up to date with their routine vaccination.
ALSO READ: How to change up your hair care routine for healthy winter hair
“Measles vaccination is the best protection against measles. Children are given the Measles vaccine at six months old and a booster at 12 months old.
“Protect yourself and many others by making sure you and your family members are fully vaccinated against measles.
“Visit your nearest clinic or Community Health Centre to get vaccinate against measles,” Munyai concluded.
Follow Us Here:
Catch the latest news by visiting our other platforms:
