The Department would like to stress that all children presenting to primary health care facilities with measles, will be immunised. Measles is a disease which affects mainly young children and in an overwhelming majority of cases a rapid recovery is made. The exceptions are usually children whose health is compromised by underlying disease and malnutrition. For this reason children living in poverty stricken areas are most at risk. Measles is a mild disease in adults, thus we request adults not to panic as this immunisation campaigns primarily focuses on children.
Between October 2009 and February 2010, seven deaths have been recorded at public health institutions. All deaths were among the age groups of between six months and two years. These children also had other underlying medical conditions which included HIV infections, Down's syndrome, Pneumonia, respiratory tract infections, gastroenteritis, poor cardiac function and anaemia.
The National Immunisation Campaign is scheduled for 12 April until 28 May 2010. This campaign will stretch across the province as follows:
Round 1: 12 - 23 April 2010:
Polio (drops) will be given to children 0 to 59 months
Measles (injection) all children 9 months to under 15 years
Round 2: 24 - 28 May:
Polio (drops) to all children 0 - 59 months
Deworming tablet (Albendazole) to children 12 to 59 months
Vitamin A (drops) to children 12 to 59 months
Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, said "I want to re-inforce the message that parents must take their children to clinics for the vaccines. It is especially babies that are the most vulnerable."
"In a modern country such as South Africa there should not be an outbreak of an illness such as measles, and I am going to launch an enquiry into the reasons why such an outbreak is occurring. It is very important that parents act responsibly and have their children vaccinated."
Parents and caregivers are urged not to take their children directly to one of the Central Hospitals, such as Groote Schuur Hospital, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital, as vaccination and the initial clinical assessment can be done effectively at their nearest primary health care centre. This will also prevent an unnecessary overload of these hospitals, which will then handle more complicated cases.
Some facts on measles:
Measles is a preventable disease, and Department urges residents to be aware of the symptoms and to ensure that their children's immunisations are up to date.
Issued by the Directorate: Communications for the Western Cape Department of Health.
Contact:
Faiza Steyn
Cell: 082 801 6960
or
Helene Rossouw
Cell: 082 771 8834
or
Mark van der Heever
Cell: 073 453 6823