Experts warn of nationwide measles outbreak once schools reopen
Loading player...
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the national health department are anticipating a nationwide outbreak of measles when schools reopen for the 2023 academic year.
This as the number of measles cases being detected across South Africa is rising daily, with more than 300 lab confirmed cases to date.
Principal pathologist at the NICD’s centre for vaccine and immunology Dr Kerrigan McCarthy says prevention and control of a measles outbreak can be achieved only through vaccination. Child health specialist at the national health department Dr Lesley Bramford says the department has launched outbreak responses on both a local and broader level, with vaccination campaigns under way in affected provinces.
This as the number of measles cases being detected across South Africa is rising daily, with more than 300 lab confirmed cases to date.
Principal pathologist at the NICD’s centre for vaccine and immunology Dr Kerrigan McCarthy says prevention and control of a measles outbreak can be achieved only through vaccination. Child health specialist at the national health department Dr Lesley Bramford says the department has launched outbreak responses on both a local and broader level, with vaccination campaigns under way in affected provinces.