JUST IN: Measles outbreak hits Ekurhuleni, clinics geared for vaccinations

The measles virus is highly infectious to those who have not had the disease, who have not been vaccinated or babies younger than 12 months.

Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the metro, advises parents to ensure their children are up-to-date with their measles vaccinations.

This follows 21 reported cases of a measles in the Actonville between July and August.

Ekurhuleni is rolling out an emergency measles vaccination campaign in all its primary care health facilities.

As part of the campaign, children under the age of five will be vaccinated or receive a booster dose.

“Measles is a very contagious disease that can spread through contact with infected mucus or saliva and is a serious condition that can be fatal for small children.

“An infected person can easily release the infection into the air when they cough or sneeze,” says Gadebe.

He adds parents should immediately rush their children to the nearest clinic, should they show any signs of high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes for medical assistance.

What you need to know:

Measles is very contagious and is spread mainly by sneezing and coughing.

The virus lives in the nose and throat of infected people and can stay in the air for up to two hours.

People with measles can start spreading the virus four days before the rash appears and four days after the rash appeared, this is when measles is the most contagious.

At first, measles’ symptoms are very similar to that of a cold.

After the symptoms have started the rash will appear, starting on the face and then spreading to the rest of the body.

The possible complications of measles are:

• Inflammation of the middle ear;
• Diarrhoea and vomiting;
• Bronchitis, croup or laryngitis;
• Pneumonia;
• Pregnancy problems such as miscarriage or premature labour; and
• Encephalitis (brain inflammation) affects about one person with measles in every 1 000.