KIMBERLEY – Following a continued rise in measles cases across the province, the Northern Cape Department of Health remains on high alert and is working closely with districts to strengthen surveillance, ensure rapid response and improve vaccination coverage.

The outbreak has revealed a concerning immunity gap in the province, particularly amongst children who are either not fully vaccinated or have never received the measles or measles/rubella vaccine.

Immunisation coverage for the second dose of the measles/rubella vaccine remains below 70% in all affected districts, significantly below the level required to prevent outbreaks. This has contributed to the steady increase in cases, including amongst individuals who had previously been vaccinated, and even amongst some adults.

In response, the department has embarked on targeted close-contact vaccination campaigns in schools. Inter-facility immunisation has also commenced, offering measles/rubella booster doses to all age groups regardless of prior vaccination history.

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District-by-district response

In the ZF Mgcawu District, the department implemented a targeted response by vaccinating contacts and conducting outbreak campaigns in the Postmasburg area. “The last positive case to be reported from Postmasburg was on 17 June this year, which indicates the end of outbreak in this area,” said Lebogang Majaha, spokesperson of the Northern Cape Department of Health.

The outbreak has now moved to the Dawid Kruiper Municipality in Upington, with 204 cases to date, and the Kai! Garib Municipality with 37 cases reported.

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To date, more than 444 asymptomatic close contacts have been vaccinated in the Pixley Ka Seme District, which had 27 cases – all from Griekwastad in the Siyancuma Municipality.

Frances Baard District remains on high alert, conducting immediate contact tracing and inter-facility vaccination of close contacts. Health facilities have been instructed to isolate and vaccinate close contacts immediately.

The public is reminded that individuals infected with measles must isolate at home for at least seven days to prevent further transmission. All suspected cases are treated symptomatically and provided with vitamin A supplements to reduce the risk of complications.

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