Measles cases rising
2003-09-29 19:05
Johannesburg - Gauteng parents have been urged to ensure that their children's measles immunisations are up to date following a rise in the number of cases, the provincial health department said on Monday.
Departmental spokesperson Popo Maja said the number of measles cases reported had risen from nine to 30.
Measles immunisations are available free of charge at all public and municipal health clinics.
Maja said the seriousness of the current outbreak was reflected by the fact that adults were also infected.
"In addition to the initial areas of Boksburg and Benoni in the Ekurhuleni Health District (East Rand), cases have now also been reported from Kempton Park, Alberton, Edenvale, Bedfordview, Bramley, Lenasia, Tembisa and Mabopane.
The department said multi-professional rapid response teams were put on alert to carry out containment and control measures to prevent the further spread of the disease.
Measles is the most infectious viral disease.
In Gauteng, for the whole of 2002, only two laboratory-confirmed cases were reported.
Suspected cases must also be reported to the Gauteng Communicable Disease Hotline at 082-372-0554.
- SAPA