The Free State Department of Health reports that there has been an increase from 19 to 22 cases of measles in the Free State.
Recorded cases per town:
Bethlehem 12 cases, Qwaqwa 1, Reitz 1, Clocolan 1, Warden 1, Frankfort 1, Kroonstad 3, Welkom 1, and Springfontein 1. Mangaung is still without any cases of measles.
According to the department’s spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, the department has embarked on a Measles Awareness Campaign and has unleashed the Immunisation Programme following the Road to Health Booklet as part of encouraging parents, caregivers, guardians, and the community to ensure that children from 6 months to 15 years are immunised.
Mvambi said that the Department of Education has been alerted of the campaign and educators were requested to keep an eye on learners who are showing the following symptoms:
- Fever -38C
- General rash
- Cough
- Runny nose and redness of the eyes
“In another step, contact tracing and screening of affected children is being done by the District Disease Outbreak Response teams to manage the outbreak in the affected towns. Contacts that are without symptoms are being immunised. Community education and awareness through Health Promotion teams regarding adherence to the Routine Immunisation Schedule, and alerts have been issued to facilities to intensify identification of cases,” said Mvambi.
He added that the province is also working closely with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and reports all confirmed cases.
“The Free State is implementing a comprehensive Response to the Measles Outbreak and implements an Awareness Campaign that should sufficiently empower the community with information as well as to make the public an integral part of the response,” concluded Mvambi.
Compiled by Justine Fortuin
