By: Natasha Archary
The Department of Health has called for calm amidst confirmation of a measles outbreak in Tshwane and Gauteng.
Over the past two weeks, there have been at least four cases reported, three in Tshwane and one on the West Rand.
All four individuals have since been isolated and are said to be recovering.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla has called for calm and vigilance, parents and caregivers to ensure vaccinations are up-to-date iwth children.
This includes vaccinations for measles, smallpox and other childhood diseases.
“Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus which mainly spreads through infectious airborne respiratory droplets from infected persons when coughing or sneezing.”
Health Minister Joe Phaahla confirmed an outbreak of measles in Tshawane and Gauteng
Despite being contagious, the vaccine protects people from contracting the disease, and has been in use for over 60-years.
Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes.
Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms.
Some of the common symptoms include:
- Pain in the muscles
- Fever
- Malaise
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Runny nose or sneezing
- Skin rash
- Pink eye
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Koplik’s spots
- Sensitivity to light
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
Late last month, a monkeypox outbreak was spreading globally at an alarming rate.
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