The Department of Health would like to raise awareness around measles to the citizens of the Northern Cape Province.
Measles is a highly infectious disease that is easily spread, especially amongst close contact eg in households, work places, schools, crèches etc.
- A suspected measles case is identified by the following signs:
- A fever of more than 38 degrees Celsius
- A rash (reddish rash spread over part or the whole body)
- One of the three “C”s
-Cough
-Coryza (watery eyes)
-Conjunctivitis (red discoloration of the eyes)
- If any member of the community (including adults) notices any of these symptoms, within the family, amongst friends they should advise such persons to seek urgent medical attention at the nearest clinic/hospital, so it can be investigated properly and treated.
- Measles will only be confirmed through a blood specimen.
- Measles can be prevented through vaccination. Every child should have had at least 2 doses of measles vaccine by the age of 18 months (this excludes measles vaccine received during health campaigns)
- Parents are requested to check the Road to Health Booklets/Cards of their children to ensure that they got their measles vaccine at 9 months and 18 months (this excludes the dose received by all HIV positive children at 6 months). Should the child not have received all the doses as indicated, the parent is requested to please visit the nearest health facility with the child’s Road to Health Booklet so that the child can be given the outstanding dose.
LOVE THEM, CARE FOR THEM, VACCINATE THEM!