Cape Town - The measles outbreak in Limpopo remains a concern for the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), as case numbers continue to rise.
Two districts have been affected by the outbreaks and since November 3, the number of laboratory confirmed measles cases in the Greater Sekhukhune District now stands at 16, with seven reported in the Mopani District.
According to the NICD, there was an epidemiological link between two laboratory confirmed measles in Greater Sekhukhune and three in Mopani.
The NICD issued a measles alert in the Sekhukhune District on October 11, when seven cases were reported.
“The laboratory confirmed measles infections were identified in 13 males and 10 females between the ages of six months and 24 years in the Greater Sekhukhune District, and two to 42 years in the Mopani District. In combination for both districts, 20 (87%) of the 23 cases of measles were in children under 15 years,” the NICD said.
There have been no deaths or other complications from the measles cases that were reported, and two children who were admitted to hospital with the virus have been discharged.
The NICD said two children infected with measles had not been vaccinated, while three had received two doses of the measles vaccine. The vaccination histories of 11 cases were unknown in the Greater Sekhukhune District.
The institute stated that all seven cases of measles in the Mopani District had an unknown vaccination history.
“Affected districts are continuing with the public health response, tracing laboratory confirmed cases of measles, and vaccinating those infected.”
A measles vaccination catch-up dose has been given to the health facilities for children who missed their measles vaccinations in efforts to increase immunity in the affected communities.
Cape Times