Measles outbreak in Sekhukhune, including Burgersfort
Three cases were detected at Fetakgomo Tubatse and Elias Motsoaledi local municipalities.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has declared a measles outbreak after three cases from two healthcare facilities were reported in the Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM). The cases were detected at Fetakgomo Tubatse and Elias Motsoaledi local municipalities.
According to the public health institute, the first two measles cases had an onset date of September 22 and 25. Meanwhile, the third case was reported on October 2.
The cases were detected in children aged 11 years, a year old and 11 months.
The NICD said two children were not vaccinated for measles, while the other child’s vaccination status was unknown.
As of October 10, the NICD said, 2 052 children were vaccinated in the two municipalities where the cases had been detected.
On Monday, the MEC for health in Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, launched a measles vaccination campaign at Bohlale Day Care Centre in Burgersfort.
“If you come across a person with fever, malaise, a cough, conjunctivitis, and running nose, he or she should immediately visit our nearest healthcare facilities for medical care. We encourage parents to bring their children to the nearest clinic for measles vaccination if they have missed the six-month and 12-month programme. Let’s help prevent the spread of the measles outbreak,” said Ramathuba.
She described measles as a viral infection that is serious for small children, but is easily preventable by a vaccine.
“It is highly infectious and spreads rapidly from person to person, and persons of any age who are not vaccinated can catch the measles. The disease spreads through the air by respiratory droplets produced from coughing or sneezing.”
