Pretoria residents have been urged to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up to date as measles transmission continues across the capital and elsewhere in Gauteng.

The latest weekly situation report from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), published on August 24, recorded 215 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in the City of Tshwane, which includes Pretoria, between December 29, 2025, and August 16, 2026.

Of these, 32 cases were recorded during the four weeks from July 19 to August 16, showing that the outbreak remains active in the metro.

The NICD defines a laboratory-confirmed measles outbreak as three or more cases recorded in a health district within four weeks. An outbreak is considered over only when no new cases have been reported for 42 days.

Pretoria’s metro recorded the highest cumulative number of cases in Gauteng, followed by Johannesburg with 195. Ekurhuleni recorded eight cases and the West Rand three during the reporting period.

Overall, Gauteng recorded 423 laboratory-confirmed measles cases between December 29 and August 16. The province recorded 16 additional cases in the latest reporting week.

The NICD cautioned that case figures may change as new laboratory and provincial information becomes available.

The NICD’s combined clinical and wastewater surveillance also detected measles in both clinical cases and wastewater samples in Pretoria during epidemiological week 33, indicating continued circulation of the virus.

Measles was also detected in wastewater in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, despite no clinical cases being recorded in those districts during that particular week.

Nationally, 3 891 laboratory-confirmed cases were recorded between December 29 and August 16. This was an increase of 144 cases from the previous weekly report.

Children aged 1 to 14 accounted for 2 619 cases, or 67.3% of the national total. Another 477 cases involved babies younger than one, while 794 infections were recorded among people aged 15 and older.

According to the NICD, measles is highly contagious and spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes out contaminated droplets. These droplets can remain in the air for up to two hours.

Initial symptoms usually include a high fever, dry cough, runny nose, sneezing and red, watery eyes. A red, blotchy rash generally begins on the face before spreading down the body.

The illness can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, ear infections, severe diarrhoea, dehydration and encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain.

The NICD said outbreaks generally occur in communities with low vaccination coverage, particularly where children are unvaccinated or have received only one of the two recommended doses.

Under South Africa’s public immunisation programme, children should receive their first measles vaccine at six months and their second at 12 months.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to check their children’s vaccination cards and take those who have missed a scheduled dose to their nearest clinic for catch-up vaccination.

Residents who suspect measles should contact a healthcare provider and avoid exposing others, particularly babies, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

Police could not yet confirm or provide more information.

Also read: Electrocuted at Planet Fitness: Pretoria man finally discharged after month in hospital

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