Khayelitsha is facing a measles outbreak, and a leader of the Khayelitsha Health Forum (KHF)is appealing to parents and guardians to take their children to health-care services for a vaccination.
KHF chair Mzanywa Ndibongo described the outbreak as an epidemic that needs to be stopped, and urged parents to take their children to their nearest clinic urgently.
“This is long overdue,” he said. “This is something the government should do every year particularly when the seasons change. The danger is that measles is contagious and easy to spread.
“The department needs to conduct strong awareness campaigns to inform and educate people about diseases, and particularly the contagious ones.”
Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness communications officers Abulele Dyasi confirmed Khayelitsha was experiencing a measles outbreak, citing confirmed cases reported recently.
She said the department urged all parents and caregivers in Khayelitsha and surrounding areas to ensure their children are fully protected against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Our teams are busy with mass vaccination campaigns around Khayelitsha. Immunisation saves millions of lives every year and is one of the most effective health interventions worldwide.
“Vaccinations protect children from developing such severe illnesses as measles and pneumonia.
“Unimmunised children are at greater risk of catching theses, which can become serious and even lead to death.”
Dyasi said measles spreads easily through the air and direct contact.
Measles initially infect the respiratory tract and spread throughout the body, weakening the immune system and increasing vulnerability to other infections such as pneumonia and diarrhoea.
“Measles can cause severe complications such as brain damage and blindness. Unimmunised children who survive measles are often weakened and more susceptible to fatal illnesses afterwards.
“Symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes and small white spots inside the cheeks. A rash usually starts on the face and neck before spreading to the hands and feet. The rash lasts about five to six days. Unvaccinated young children and pregnant women are most vulnerable.”
Dyasi advises the parents that if the child has contracted the measles, keep them away from others until the rash has cleared for four days, keep the room dark to protect their eyes, encourage plenty of fluids like water, diluted juice or rooibos tea and maintain healthy eating habits.
