As the measles outbreak in Limpopo spreads, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has warned that it poses a risk for greater spread.
Fifty-seven measles outbreak cases have been reported in Limpopo and Mpumalanga between September 1 and November 16.
“Laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Limpopo province have increased to 52 measles cases since the beginning of the measles outbreak, and laboratory-confirmed measles cases are increasing in Capricorn, Greater Sekhukhune, Mopani and Waterberg districts,” said the Institute.
It said Vhembe district reported two laboratory-confirmed measles cases, with one case epidemiologically linked to the measles in circulation in Zimbabwe.
“In the past seven days, four laboratory-confirmed measles cases were reported in the Bushbuckridge area of Ehlanzeni district in Mpumalanga. Ehlanzeni district shares a border with Great Sekhukhune and Mopani districts which were the first districts to declare measles outbreaks,” the NICD said.
“The spread of measles cases in in Limpopo province and Ehlanzeni district, Mpumalanga province, poses the risk of measles spread. The sporadic laboratory-confirmed measles cases were reported in Northern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Free State and the Western Cape provinces.”
To avoid a wider spread, the NICD recommends that all patients’ contacts be traced and vaccinated against the disease.
“Vaccination of measles case contacts is necessary in Ehlanzeni district for laboratory-confirmed measles cases to prevent the spread of the measles virus. To prevent the spread of the measles virus in other provinces, the sporadic case contacts should be traced and given measles vaccine doses as per the National Measles surveillance Guidelines.”
In the Sekhukhune area, the youngest patient is six months old and the oldest is 24 years old.
The youngest patient in the Mopani district is two years old, and the oldest is 42.
Source: The South African, News24, Times Live, image from Twitter: @RantsSouth