South Africans are encouraged to get their children vaccinated for measles as the country experiences an outbreak of the infection, affecting mainly children aged 5-9.
It is easily spread through an infected person's cough, or by touching items contaminated by droplets.
If you’re pregnant, measles can cause premature birth, low birth weight & foetal death.
These are the early symptoms of measles to watch out for:
– Fever
– Runny nose
– Hacking (dry) cough
– White spots in mouth
– Sore throat
– Itchy, flat red rash which becomes raised, starting near the ears & spreading to the trunk (chest, stomach & back), arms, & legs
– A high fever (40°C)
The best protection against measles is the vaccine.
Check the immunisations page in your child’s Road to Health Booklet to confirm that:
• A child between 6 – 11 months has received 1 dose of measles vaccine.
• A child 12 months or older has received 2 doses of measles vaccine.
If your child isn't vaccinated and you see any of the above symptoms, go to the clinic immediately.
The World Health Organization (WHO) dubbed measles a global threat.
“Measles anywhere is a threat everywhere, as the virus can quickly spread to multiple communities and across international borders,” said WHO in a statement, adding no WHO region had achieved and sustained measles elimination.
It added since 2016, 10 countries that had previously eliminated measles experienced outbreaks and re-established transmission.
IOL