NewsDesk @bactiman63
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported 10 laboratory-confirmed measles cases detected across the country, most of which were from Limpopo, during the past week.
Limpopo province reported a total of 5 cases, Waterberg (2) Greater Sekhukhune (2) and one (1) case from Capricorn district.
This brings the total confirmed measles cases in the country to 1100 since October 2022.
From epidemiological week 40 of 2022 to week 26 of 2023, 1092 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported from eight provinces with declared measles outbreaks; Limpopo (506 cases), Mpumalanga (111 cases), North West (217 cases), Gauteng (182 cases), Free State (32 cases), Western Cape (16), KwaZulu-Natal (21) and Northern Cape (7) .
To declare the measles outbreak over, the following criteria should be achieved: Absence of newly detected Measles cases for more than two incubation periods (42 days). The outbreak was declared over for the Northern Cape in week 15, North West in week 24 and Free State in week 25. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing sporadic cases, the outbreak cannot be declared over in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape.
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Limpopo province continues to contribute to a significant number of cases. Strengthening surveillance for measles cases is recommended so as not to miss sporadic cases in the areas where measles cases are not reported after the measles vaccination campaign. Prevention and control of measles outbreaks can only be achieved through vaccination.
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