Measles and Polio Campaign Pays off

Since declaring an outbreak of Measles and Polio in the Western Cape on 22 February, the Department of Health has immunised more than one point two (1.2) million children at health facilities across the Western Cape.

With steps taken by the Department, there has been a considerable downward trend in the number of measles cases reported in May. Numerous schools and other childcare facilities were visited by nurses during phase one of the immunisation campaign. The success of this campaign relied on parents, educators and childcare facilities to be vigilant and immunise their children against this disease.

Due to the rapid downward trend in measles incidents requiring hospitalisation, the Western Cape Department of Health decided that the measles isolation ward at Khayelitsha District Hospital will be decommissioned as of Monday, 24 May. This ward will be re-commissioned as an eighteen (18) bed general pediatrics ward. As a precautionary measure, steps will be taken later this week to decontaminate the ward before use.

In addition, the isolation wards at Tygerberg Hospital and New Somerset Hospital will remain open until the Department is fully satisfied that the measles epidemic is under control.

The isolation wards at Tygerberg and New Somerset Hospital are currently still running at six to seventy percent (60%-70%) capacity and will be reviewed at the end of May. However, more beds will be made available should there be an upsurge in measles cases. The Department of Health would like to extend their gratitude to all communities across the Western Cape for the role they played in getting our children immunised against measles.

Fact Sheet
As a result of the measles outbreak, the Western Cape Department of Health embarked on an Outbreak Response Intervention from 8-23 March. During this period forty three thousand five hundred and forty seven (43 547) children between six (6) months and two (2) years within the hot spot areas were immunised.

The National Immunisation Campaign began from 12 April until 28 May 2010. This campaign was stretched across the province and was broken up into two rounds.

Round one: 12 - 23 April 2010:

• During the National Mass Immunisation Campaigns first round, one million one hundred and sixty three thousand eight hundred and ten (1,163 810) children were immunised.
• Children under five (5) years were given polio drops and all children between six (6) months and fifteen (15) years received measles injections.

Round 2: Will begin from 24 - 28 May, with the following actions to take place:

• Polio (drops) to all children naught (0) - fifty nine (59) months.
• Deworming tablet (Albendazole) to children twelve (12) to fifty nine (59) months.
• Vitamin A (drops) to children twelve (12) to fifty nine (59) months.

Facts on measles:

• Measles is a highly contagious disease usually seen in children, which can affect older children and adults as well.
• The incubation period is ten (10) - fourteen (14) days, often longer in adults.
• It is characterised by malaise, fever, loss of appetite, red watery eyes, cough and runny nose.
• The rash of measles usually appears three (3) - five (5) days after the above symptoms.
• It begins on the face and spreads down over the body.
• The duration of the illness is seven (7) - ten (10) days.
• Measles is spread by droplets from respiratory secretions and transmitted by breathing, coughing or sneezing.
• The most infectious phase is at the peak of the coughing and runny nose.

Measles vaccine is part of the routine vaccination schedule. Parents who are unsure if their children under the age of five (5) have received the recommended measles vaccines should take their child to the nearest clinic for catch-up doses.

Issued by:
Communications Directorate
Western Cape Department of Health