The National Health Department has warned about increased German measles (rubella) cases in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape.
The department has urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children are up to date with vaccination schedules against serious diseases that are prevented by vaccines as the country was experiencing an increase in rubella cases in these provinces.
In a statement on Thursday, the department said it was alerted by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) about the “notable” rising number of cases in various parts of these provinces.
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According to NICD, rubella is an infectious disease caused by the rubella virus.
It is usually a mild disease in children and adults but can have serious consequences in pregnant women by infecting their unborn babies and causing congenital rubella syndrome, said the institute.
“The disease primarily spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and can also be transmitted from mother to foetus during pregnancy,and generally causes a mild illness in children and adults, characterised by a low-grade fever, rash, and sometimes joint pain.
“It can lead to congenital rubella syndrome in the foetus, resulting in death, miscarriages, stillbirth or severe birth defects in infants,” reads the statement.
The NICD said the incubation period of rubella ranges from 14 to 21 days.
In recent weeks, the department has received enquiries following a closure of schools in the Northern Cape after a rubella case was detected amongst school learners.
The institute said school closure should only be implemented as the last resort after all measures have been employed where a case has been detected.
Parents are warned that children who develop symptoms (including nausea, sore throat, red eyes and swollen lymph nodes in the neck) compatible with rubella should be treated symptomatically and remain away from school until they recover.
All suspected rubella cases should be reported to the nearest health facility or healthcare provider, who will then notify the department, said the institute.
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The department is currently rolling out the measles-rubella vaccine as part of the Expanded Programme of Immunisation.
This combined vaccine, according to the department, replaces the standalone measles vaccine and is administered at 6 and 12 months of age.
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