A 22 year old man died from suspected measles and more than 50 children showed signs of infection at King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality villages.
The man was believed to have contracted the disease from a two year old child who had visited during the Christmas holidays from Gauteng, while a doctor was also infected after she had treated children at Zithulele hospital.
The Eastern Cape Department of Health dispatched health professionals with 9 000 measles vaccines to these villages to educate and vaccinate people for measles.
The health professionals visited the communities, encouraging parents to immunise children from the age of six months up to 15 years. People were also encouraged to immunise everybody in a house hold where there is a suspect.
The affected villages include Ngcwanguba, Thwalikhulu, Mpaku, Kwaiman, Qhogi, Zitulele, Coffee Bay, Matokazini, Rhini, Zidindi, Kwa Tshezi, Thwalimafu and Nenga.
To date, there are 65 cases at King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, five at Lukhanji Municipality and it’s mostly children who were affected. The department is still investigating to find out if more cases have occurred.
Symptoms of the disease include an itchy rash, red eyes, pyrexia (high temperature) and fever. Parents are urged to rush their children to the nearest health facility as soon as measles is suspected.
Tests were conducted and blood samples of suspected cases sent to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD).
The department is now looking at organising resources to immunise all children from six months to 15 years at the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
12 January 2010
Source: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoh.gov.za/)
