Early symptoms of measles to watch out for amid infection’s outbreak

Published Dec 27, 2022

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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.

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