City warned against measles outbreak

By Ofentse Mokae
02 February 2010

The measles outbreak that started in Gauteng last year has spread to all provinces in the country, including the Western Cape.

Measles is an acute infection caused by the measles virus and is one of the most infectious of all agents.

The illness is characterised by a cough, runny nose, fever and a blotchy red rash typical to measles.

The city of Cape Town’s heatlh department urged residents to vaccinate children routinely at nine months as well as a booster injection at 18 months.

The city’s Dr Ivan Bromfield says immunisations are available free of charge from all City Health clinics.

Bromfield says national polio and measles campaign is planned for April this year.

“Until this national campaign is underway, City Health and the Provincial Government Department of Health have agreed to closely monitor any local outbreaks, conduct routine follow-ups and launch targeted campaigns in these areas,” Bromfield says.

He urged parents who are unsure if their children under the age of five have received the recommended measles vaccines should take their children to the nearest clinic for catch-up doses.