Most of the measles cases reported during the last two weeks of May were from Gauteng, the national Department of Health has confirmed.

“Four suspected measles cases from persons residing in Gauteng have been confirmed through laboratory testing by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD),” the department’s spokesperson Forster Mohale said on Monday.

Three of the confirmed cases were of individuals living in Tshwane.

The department said this meant that the Tshwane region was experiencing an outbreak of measles.

“The fourth case is an individual residing in the West Rand of Gauteng. All four individuals are presently isolated and are recovering,” Mohale said.

He said health authorities in the affected communities were working to identify and conduct vaccination for those who came into contact with the infected persons.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that mainly spreads through infectious airborne respiratory droplets from infected persons when coughing or sneezing,” said health minister Joe Phaahla.

“The measles vaccine, which has been in use for almost 60 years, is the best protection against this life-threatening childhood disease. It is safe, effective and available free of charge at public health facilities.”

Phaahla urged caregivers to ensure that children were vaccinated against measles and other childhood diseases.

The department said that unvaccinated young children were at highest risk of measles and its complications, which include brain damage and death.

According to the NICD, those infected with measles have symptoms such as a fever and a rash.

“The rash looks like small red flat spots over the body. The rash does not form blisters, nor is it itchy or painful. Other signs include a cough, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and coryza (running nose),” the NICD said.

“Complications include diarrhea, dehydration, brain infection (encephalitis), blindness and death. Complications are more serious in those who catch measles as young infants under two years of age and in children who are malnourished.”

Following the detection of the cases, the health departmental said it was working with the Gauteng Department of Health, Tshwane clinics, the NICD and stakeholders such as the World Health Organisation and Unicef to investigate and respond to the outbreak.

“According to the South African expanded programme on immunisation, children are given measles vaccines at six months and 12 months,” the health department statement read.

“Measles is a notifiable medical condition in terms of the National Health Act. Clinicians have been alerted on what symptoms to look out for. If the clinical picture fits with measles, they are urged to complete a case investigation form and send samples to the national health laboratory service for testing.”