Health Department urges parents to vaccinate children
The Department has recently confirmed 27 cases of measles in KwaZulu-Natal.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has urged parents to vaccinate their children following the recent cases of measles reported in three districts, eThekwini, Umgungundlovu and Ilembe.
Measles is a viral infection, spread from person to person through saliva by coughing, sneezing or being in close contact with an infected person.
Symptoms include fever, a rash and flu-like symptoms. Most people recover fully from measles however, complications are usually unpredictable. It is common in children but old people who have not received the measles vaccine can also be infected.
The Department has recently confirmed 27 cases of measles in KwaZulu-Natal and they are in the following districts:
eThekwini (14 confirmed cases and three suspected cases), Umgungundlovu (six confirmed cases), Ilembe (two confirmed cases), Uthukela (one confirmed case and one suspected case), King Cetshwayo (no confirmed case and just one suspected case).
The majority of these cases were mostly diagnosed in a particular community and are being traced with the aim to offer the measles vaccination irrespective of age. Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing measles and other opportunistic diseases that might affect growth development in children.
The department reiterated that people should to be aware of symptoms of measles so that they can seek help early and be vaccinated to prevent infection and spreading measles to other people.
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