An outbreak of measles has been confirmed in Stellenbosch. The Western Cape Department of Health said on Thursday that it had identified five confirmed measles cases at a school in the town.
“These cases received the necessary medical treatment and the patients are recovering‚” said the provincial government in a statement.
“Measles is a notifiable disease and all cases of suspected measles need to be investigated. It is of vital importance that notifiable illnesses are reported immediately to contain the spread of the illness.
“The Department is currently following up the cases and vaccination is offered to all at-risk contacts. Depending on the number of cases‚ the Department may institute mass vaccination at schools and other institutions.”
Health facilities and practitioners in the provinces are on high alert for any further suspected measles cases.
Parents‚ guardians‚ caregivers and schools were requested to take all people with the signs and symptoms of measles to their nearest clinic.
Parents are urged to:
- Check their child‘s immunisation status
- Ensure that every child is immunised according to the schedule
- Contact their local clinic if they or their children had been in contact with a person diagnosed with measles
- Consistently apply hygienic practices‚ especially washing of hands
WHAT IS MEASLES?
Measles is a highly infectious viral disease. The first sign is a high fever followed by a blotchy red rash all over the body. It is also accompanied by cough or a runny nose or red eyes. Measles can cause dangerous complications‚ such as infection of the lungs‚ blindness and even death.
It is caused by a small germ called the measles virus. It spreads when a person with measles coughs or sneezes.
WHY IS MEASLES A DANGEROUS DISEASE?
Young children who survive measles are weakened by the disease and may later die from malnutrition or other illnesses. Measles is also an important cause of mental retardation and blindness.
A quarter of all deaths from measles occur before the age of one year.
Measles in older children usually occurs as outbreaks‚ when large groups of children get measles at the same time.
The risk of a measles outbreak is higher when groups of children gather together for example in crèches‚ day care centres and at schools.
What to do if you suspect that you or your child has measles? Take the person to the nearest clinic‚ hospital or your doctor.
Measles outbreak in Stellenbosch‚ here's what parents need to do
An outbreak of measles has been confirmed in Stellenbosch. The Western Cape Department of Health said on Thursday that it had identified five confirmed measles cases at a school in the town.
“These cases received the necessary medical treatment and the patients are recovering‚” said the provincial government in a statement.
“Measles is a notifiable disease and all cases of suspected measles need to be investigated. It is of vital importance that notifiable illnesses are reported immediately to contain the spread of the illness.
“The Department is currently following up the cases and vaccination is offered to all at-risk contacts. Depending on the number of cases‚ the Department may institute mass vaccination at schools and other institutions.”
Health facilities and practitioners in the provinces are on high alert for any further suspected measles cases.
Parents‚ guardians‚ caregivers and schools were requested to take all people with the signs and symptoms of measles to their nearest clinic.
Parents are urged to:
- Check their child‘s immunisation status
- Ensure that every child is immunised according to the schedule
- Contact their local clinic if they or their children had been in contact with a person diagnosed with measles
- Consistently apply hygienic practices‚ especially washing of hands
WHAT IS MEASLES?
Measles is a highly infectious viral disease. The first sign is a high fever followed by a blotchy red rash all over the body. It is also accompanied by cough or a runny nose or red eyes. Measles can cause dangerous complications‚ such as infection of the lungs‚ blindness and even death.
It is caused by a small germ called the measles virus. It spreads when a person with measles coughs or sneezes.
WHY IS MEASLES A DANGEROUS DISEASE?
Young children who survive measles are weakened by the disease and may later die from malnutrition or other illnesses. Measles is also an important cause of mental retardation and blindness.
A quarter of all deaths from measles occur before the age of one year.
Measles in older children usually occurs as outbreaks‚ when large groups of children get measles at the same time.
The risk of a measles outbreak is higher when groups of children gather together for example in crèches‚ day care centres and at schools.
What to do if you suspect that you or your child has measles? Take the person to the nearest clinic‚ hospital or your doctor.
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