Measles outbreak in Gauteng: 181 cases confirmed, public urged to vaccinate
Between January 1 and June 13, 181 laboratory-confirmed measles cases were reported, primarily in Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni. In the latest reporting period, Gauteng recorded 15 new measles cases.
Local nurse Nhlanhla Mofokeng explained what measles is and how to curb its spread. She defined measles as a highly contagious viral infection that mainly affects children but can infect anyone who is unvaccinated.
'It spreads through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Measles symptoms appear about seven to 14 days after exposure,' she said.
Signs and symptoms:
• High fever;
• Dry cough;
• Runny nose;
• Red, watery eyes;
• Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots);
• A blotchy red rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downward.
'A person is contagious four days before and four days after the rash appears. Many people assume measles is just a rash and fever, but it can lead to severe complications,' she added.
She mentioned these complications:
• Pneumonia;
• Diarrhoea and dehydration;
• Ear infections (which might lead to hearing loss);
• Brain swelling (encephalitis);
• Death, especially in malnourished children or those with weakened immune systems.
'Children under five years, unvaccinated people of any age, people with weakened immune systems (HIV+ individuals) and pregnant women are at risk of contracting measles.
'Prevention is always better than cure. The measles vaccine is safe and free at public clinics across SA. It is given as part of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine (MMR) at six months (extra dose during outbreaks), 12 months and 18 months,' she mentioned.
Mofokeng said vaccination is the best protection because if enough people are vaccinated, the virus cannot spread; this is called herd immunity.
She added that during the outbreak, people must ensure children are vaccinated by checking their Road-to-Health card.
The nurse advised adults unsure of their vaccination status to visit a clinic for advice.
'If your child shows symptoms, keep them at home and visit a health facility immediately. Inform your school or crèche if a child was diagnosed. They may need to take steps to prevent further spread,' said Mofokeng.
What to do if you suspect measles?
• Step one: Seek medical care immediately; early detection can prevent serious illness.
• Step two: Isolate the patient to avoid spreading the virus to others.
• Step three: Follow the instructions from your clinic or doctor.
ALSO READ: SASSA announces August payment dates for all social grants
ALSO READ: Two arrested in Kwa-Thema for house robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- The Citizen
Province launches major vaccination drive amid rising measles cases in Tshwane
The Gauteng Department of Health aims to vaccinate over 4 million children aged from six months to under 15 years. The department officially launched its province-wide Mass Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign at Steve Biko Primary School in Orange Farm, Johannesburg, on August 5. The campaign will run for six weeks from August 4 to September 12. While the campaign covers all five districts in Gauteng, Tshwane remains one of the key focus areas due to its high number of confirmed measles cases and identified hotspot zones. The move is a direct response to the ongoing measles outbreak in the province, which has seen a surge in cases since the beginning of the year. Speaking at the launch, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to containing the outbreak. 'The Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe, free, and effective in protecting children from severe illness. We urge all parents and guardians to sign consent forms and ensure their children are vaccinated,' she said. Addressing the need for accurate health information, Nkomo-Ralehoko added, 'We also encourage communities to verify health information through official sources, and avoid misinformation circulating on social media.' The significance of the campaign is very visible in Tshwane, where the outbreak has continued along a concerning trajectory. According to the Department of Health, a total of 370 laboratory-confirmed measles cases were reported throughout the province between January 1 and June 30. Many of these originated from Tshwane, particularly in hotspot areas such as Mamelodi and Winterveldt. In June, Motalatale Modiba, the department spokesperson, highlighted the urgency of targeted interventions in hotspots. This localised approach is being strengthened under the current campaign. Despite these efforts, the immunisation coverage in Tshwane remains worryingly low, said Modiba. He emphasised the second-dose coverage for measles sits below 75%, well under the 95% threshold required to prevent outbreaks. Modiba explained that this shortfall has made communities vulnerable not only to recurring infections but also to infections among vaccinated individuals and adults. This is something not typically seen when herd immunity is achieved. The department will closely monitor vaccination uptake across all districts and provide regular updates on progress with the current campaign. The target is to achieve at least 95% coverage across the province, with Tshwane expected to make significant gains due to the focused attention it is receiving. As part of the campaign launch, learners at Steve Biko Primary School were vaccinated on-site, showcasing how quickly the teams are moving to roll out services. Parents and guardians are encouraged by Nkomo-Ralehoko to ensure their children are available for vaccination when school health teams visit. Consent forms must be signed and returned to schools promptly to avoid delays. The department also reminded the public that MR vaccines are available at all public health facilities during the campaign, and are offered free of charge. The campaign is streamlined with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) policies. The NICD urged provinces in June to strengthen measles surveillance and conduct risk assessments for transmission, while implementing public health responses to current outbreaks. The institute also advised that public awareness must be increased in communities to highlight the ongoing outbreak and encourage parents to vaccinate their children. According to the NICD, missed routine measles doses should be caught up to prevent serious complications, including pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhoea, encephalitis, and even death. Clinicians are advised to report suspected cases, collect blood specimens for lab confirmation, and log all cases through the Notifiable Medical Conditions surveillance system of the NICD. The institute also recommends reinforcing routine immunisation services. It said that districts with high incidence rates, such as Tshwane and Johannesburg, should be prioritised. The institute also encourages efforts focusing on tackling vaccine hesitancy and improving reporting of measles symptoms. Continued environmental monitoring, including wastewater surveillance, remains essential to track transmission trends and adjust response measures effectively. For public complaints and compliments, send an email to: [email protected]; send an SMS to 35023 or call the 24-hour customer line on 0800 203 886. ALSO READ: Residents welcome turnaround at Rooihuiskraal garden refuse site Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- The Citizen
Gauteng health offering free measles-rubella vaccines for children
The Gauteng department of health is aiming to end regular outbreaks of measles, which have occurred for the last three years The Gauteng Department of Health has begun a campaign to protect children against measles and rubella. Running from 4 August to 12 September, the department will provide free vaccinations to children aged between six months and 15 years old. The vaccines will be made available at healthcare facilities, schools, childcare facilities and community sites that are frequented by children. Free vaccines for children Vaccine Hub states that measles targets the respiratory system, while rubella — also known as German measles — attacks the lymph nodes, eyes and skin. Measles can cause death in children, while rubella can cause birth defects of the children of infected pregnant woman. Both are identified through the red rash visible on the skin of the infected. The department claims the vaccines provided will give the immunised lifetime cover against the measles and rubella infections. 'The campaign comes as Gauteng continues to respond to a persistent measles outbreak that has affected all districts since 2022,' stated health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. Provincial health officials and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) had recorded roughly 370 cases of the two conditions in 2025 as of the beginning of the campaign. The MEC stressed the vaccine is safe and effective in preventing either condition, and requested parents to sign the required permission slips. The department confirmed that ll public clinics and health facilities will be providing measles-rubella vaccinations during the campaign period. 'The health teams will be in various vaccination sites throughout the campaign period, which will include schools and creches where most of the targeted children will be found,' the department told The Citizen. 'The health teams will also be in other sites where children can also be found such as taxi ranks, churches and malls. Officials did not provide a detailed schedule but said that interested parents could follow the department on social media to track the campaign. The department is looking for volunteers to assist with data capturing and administrative functions, while retired nurses are asked to assist in their communities. 'Additionally, universities, nursing colleges and private hospital groups are urged to support the campaign by allocating students and practising nurses to assist health teams,' stated the department. Those wishing to assist, or those requesting extra information on the programme, can contact these regional offices: Measles deaths down The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that an estimated 107 500 people died from measles in 2023 — with most of them being children under the age of five years 'Vaccination decreased an estimated measles death from 800 062 in 2000 to the current figures,' stated the WHO. The NICD has previously supported measles and rubella vaccination, warning of the potential complications. 'Vaccinating children with the measles vaccine protects them from severe illness caused by measles virus infection, including severe pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, deafness and death,' the entity stated. NOW READ: Gauteng health warns of immunity gap in measles fight as cases rise
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- The Citizen
Ekurhuleni celebrates exemplary service of the city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi
The City of Ekurhuleni has paid tribute to the outstanding service and enduring legacy of its city manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi. She concluded a distinguished career marked by transformative leadership, integrity in governance, and an unwavering commitment to public service. Mashazi, the first woman to serve as city manager in Ekurhuleni, has dedicated more than 40 years to public service. Her journey began at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, where she trained and worked as a nurse, before moving into municipal administration in the early 1990s. According to city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, Mashazi's extensive experience and visionary leadership have helped shape Ekurhuleni into one of South Africa's most dynamic metropolitan municipalities. Pioneering public health reforms Throughout her time in local government, Mashazi made a lasting impact, particularly in public health. As head of the City's Health Department, she led groundbreaking initiatives that enabled the region to achieve the highest TB cure rate in the country and significantly reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission. 'She was instrumental in establishing numerous primary healthcare facilities across Ekurhuleni, significantly improving health access for residents,' said Dlamini. Infrastructure growth and financial stewardship Since her appointment as city manager in 2016, Mashazi has ushered in a new era of development and financial discipline. Under her leadership, the city's capital expenditure more than doubled from R3.9b to R7b, enabling the rollout of critical infrastructure. This included the construction of 29 reservoirs and water towers, most notably Africa's second-tallest water tower, completed in Benoni to enhance the city's water resilience. Her tenure has also been defined by sound financial governance. Since the 2019/2020 financial year, Ekurhuleni has achieved three consecutive clean audits, recorded zero unauthorised or wasteful expenditure, and maintained a consistent 91% revenue collection rate. This achievement is recognised as a benchmark in the sector. Recognition and empowerment Mashazi's leadership has received widespread recognition. Her accolades include the public sector leader award at the Virtual Top Empowerment Awards, honours from the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP), and multiple Blue Drop and Green Drop awards for excellence in water and environmental management. She was most recently honoured by Good Governance Africa for her commitment to transparent and effective municipal administration. A strong advocate for gender equity, Dr Mashazi launched the City Manager's Women Empowerment Legacy Project in 2017. The initiative has elevated the role of women across all departments, especially in sectors historically dominated by men. A legacy for generations The City of Ekurhuleni has expressed its deepest gratitude for Mashazi's decades of exceptional service. She is described as a visionary trailblazer whose impact will be felt for generations. 'Mashazi leaves behind a city that is more resilient, more equitable, and better governed. Her contribution to Ekurhuleni's transformation is immeasurable,' said Dlamini. As Mashazi embarks on the next chapter of her life, the city extends its warmest wishes for continued success and fulfilment. Her legacy is firmly rooted in the fabric of Ekurhuleni's growth story, a lasting reminder of what dedicated public service can achieve.
