Measles on the rise across South Africa
Lab-confirmed data shows that measles is on the rise, while rubella cases have dropped.
JOHANNESBURG – The South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has warned measles are on the rise in South Africa.
At the same time cases of rubella seems to be declining.
A recent report issued by NICD shows that 843 confirmed cases of measles were reported across the country.
NICD’s report is based on data collected from 29 December 2025 up to 29 March 2026
The Western Cape recorded the highest number of new cases (29) in the latest week.
The Western Cape is followed by the Eastern Cape (10), Northern Cape (9), Mpumalanga (8), Limpopo (5), Gauteng (3), Free State (3), and KwaZulu-Natal (1).
In contrast 184 confirmed cases of rubella were reported during the same period.
This shows a decline compared with the same period in 2025.
The NICD collects these figures through the national fever-rash surveillance system.
