The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has issued an alert, warning of a measles outbreak in South Africa and that clinicians should be on high alert for suspected cases.
According to the alert there has been an increase in laboratory confirmed measles cases in the Western Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape.
“Sporadic” laboratory confirmed cases were also noted in the Eastern Cape and the Free State.
The Northern Cape has been the hardest hit and the health department in that province has started an “outbreak investigation” in the Siyanda district.
According to statistics supplied by the institute, the number of laboratory confirmed cases stood at 49 by December 4, compared to six for the whole of last year. The provincial breakdown was:
* Western Cape – 4.
* Eastern Cape – 2.
* Northern Cape – 17.
* Gauteng – 15.
* KwaZulu-Natal – 6.
* Free State – 2.
* Mpumalanga – 3.
The provincial department of health initially indicated that there had not been any confirmed cases of the measles outbreak in the Western Cape, “only suspected cases”.
But after pointing out that the institute reported four confirmed cases in the province, the department’s Sithembiso Magubane said he would have to get confirmation on these cases.
According to the department, children should be taken to a health facility as soon as there is a suspected case of measles.
The most common symptoms include:
* A high temperature, sore eyes (conjunctivitis), and a runny nose usually occur first.
* Small white spots usually develop inside the mouth a day or so later.
* A harsh, dry cough.
* Going off food, tiredness, and aches and pains.
* Diarrhoea and/or vomiting.
A red blotchy rash normally develops about three to four days after the first symptoms. It usually starts on the head and neck, and spreads down the body. It takes two to three days to cover most of the body. The rash often turns a brownish colour and gradually fades over a few days.
Children are usually unwell and miserable for three to five days. After this, the fever tends to ease, and then the rash fades.
Older children and adults who were not fully immunised were also at risk.
Cape Argus