outbreak
3 April 2009
As part of its continuous assessment and surveillance of contagious diseases
in the Gauteng province, the Gauteng Department of Health detected a measles
outbreak in the area of Tshwane District. Five cases were confirmed of which
two are adults above eighteen years of age and one other suspected is still in
hospital.
All the affected are in stable, fine condition and have received measles
vaccination. Ongoing public education is provided through clinics and health
promoters are dispatched to various areas, including the concerned sites.
In terms of reports received on 2 April 2009:
* The first case is of a 34 year old male who resides in Garsfontein. He
started developing symptoms on 11 March 2009. He was seen, treated and
discharged at Steve Biko Academic hospital. He is recovering well.
* The second case is of a 26 year female from Erasmia. She started developing
symptoms on 16 March 2009. She was seen, treated and discharged at Unitas
hospital. She is recovering well.
* The third case is of a 10 year old male who resides in Mayville. He developed
symptoms on 28 March 2009 and was seen, treated and discharged at Eugene Marais
hospital. He is doing fine.
* The fourth case is two month old female who resides in Centurion. She started
developing symptoms on 14 March 2009. She was seen, treated and discharged at
Unitas hospital. She is also doing well.
* The fifth case is a senior sister to the mentioned two month old female. She
is a two year old who started developing symptoms on 26 March 2009. She was not
admitted but tests on her confirmed measles. She is also doing well.
Though these are sporadic cases, this occurrence is regarded as an outbreak.
This is because Tshwane as a district sees around one measles case per
year.
The data since 2006 are as follows:
Year: 2006
Number of measles cases: 1
Month of occurrence: July
Year: 2007
Number of measles cases: 0
Month of occurrence: 0
Year: 2008
Number of measles cases: 1
Month of occurrence: June
Year: 2009
Number of measles cases: 5
Month of occurrence: March
The measles disease
Measles is a highly contagious but less lethal viral disease that is spread
through droplets of saliva and secretions from nose. The incubation period is
usually 10 to 14 days. Worldwide outbreaks occur within the winter and spring
seasons.
The symptoms include:
* running nose
* cough
* red eyes
* fever and
* rashes that develop later.
Complications include encephalitis (brain infection), pneumonia (lung
infection), ear infections and deafness. There is no specific treatment. Bed
rest and paracetamol are the usual supportive treatment and prognosis (outcome)
is usually good.
Immunisation exists and the first dose is taken at nine months and the
second dose at eighteen months. Catch up campaigns ("mop ups") are usually done
in areas where immunisation coverage is very low.
Prevention and control of disease
Preventative measures exist for measles, they include:
* vaccination of all children according to recommended schedules
* isolation of measles patients until fifth day of rash
* washing of hand immediately before and after eating
* practicing cough etiquette
* avoiding kissing of children and persons unknown to one.
Outline of measures currently being embarked by the outbreak response team
to contain this outbreak
* All clinicians, both in the private and public sector, have been alerted
about the disease.
* Infection control officers in all hospitals have also been requested to be on
high surveillance for the disease.
* Crèches (though most are on holiday at the moment) will be targeted for
social mobilisation purposes by health promoters.
* Environmental Health practitioners have started conducting epidemiological
risk analysis for this outbreak.
For further information or interviews please contact:
Phumelele Kaunda
Tel: 011 355 3268
Cell: 082 334 9851
Fax: 011 838 3613
E-mail: phumelele.kaunda@gauteng.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
3 April 2009
