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- A measles outbreak has been declared in the Western Cape.
- Four laboratory-confirmed cases were found in the province.
- The Western Cape is the sixth province to declare an outbreak.
A measles outbreak has been declared in the Western Cape, following a spike in cases.
It is the sixth province to declare an outbreak, following Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the North West, Gauteng, and the Free State.
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According to the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD), four laboratory-confirmed measles cases were reported in Cape Town between 24 January and 17 February.
"Even though all the lab-confirmed measles [cases] were investigated, no epidemiological link could be established," the NICD added.
A measles outbreak is declared when three or more cases are confirmed in a health facility or district in one month.
Since October, there have been more than 560 measles cases in South Africa.
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According to the Western Cape health department, "enhanced measles surveillance has been ramped up" provincially.
"Healthcare workers at the Western Cape Department of Health and City of Cape Town are on alert to vaccinate all known contacts, and anyone presenting at healthcare facilities with the signs and symptoms.
"Additionally, all children's Road to Health booklets are being checked to ensure their measles vaccinations are up to date," the department said.
The outbreak comes as the country embarks on a nationwide measles immunisation campaign, including in the Western Cape.
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Vaccination drives are currently under way in all districts of the province to contain the spread of measles.
The department said 168 056 measles vaccines have been administered provincially since 6 February.
Children under the age of 15 are eligible for vaccinations and have been urged to get their jabs. They will not be vaccinated unless their parents or legal guardians have given their consent.
"Parents and caregivers should be alert to the signs and symptoms. It is never too late to vaccinate against measles. Please do not delay in taking your children to the nearest clinic for vaccination, where the healthcare workers will assure them about the efficacy and safety of the measles vaccine," said Sonia Botha, the Western Cape's Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) co-ordinator.
"Through vaccination, we can protect our children, our families, and our communities from measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases," she said.
Measles patients present with fever, rash, and one or more of the following symptoms: cough, red eyes, and runny nose. Possible complications include pneumonia, diarrhoea, dehydration, encephalitis, blindness, and death.
Measles complications are severe in malnourished children and young infants under the age of two.
