Gauteng health warns of immunity gap in measles fight as cases rise
With 181 confirmed measles cases, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is ramping up school and community vaccination, focusing on hotspot areas and boosting surveillance to contain the outbreak.
The continued rise in measles cases across the province has revealed an immunity gap, particularly among children who are either not fully vaccinated or have never received the measles or rubella vaccine.
'We must close the immunity gap in our communities and prevent further spread of the highly contagious diseases, particularly measles and rubella,' said the Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
'We must close the immunity gap' – Health MEC
'Vaccination is simple and safe and is our best protection against harmful diseases. We encourage everyone to support our outreach teams and protect our children's health.'
The department reported 181 laboratory-confirmed cases from 1 January to 13 June, with many cases originating from the Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni districts.
ALSO READ: 'Immunity gap' drives rubella outbreak in South Africa
According to GDoH spokesperson Motalatale Modiba, in the latest reporting period, Gauteng recorded 15 new cases, with 10 of these reported in Tshwane, two in Johannesburg, two in Ekurhuleni, and one in the West Rand.
'The outbreak remains active in specific hotspot areas, including Mamelodi and Winterveld in Tshwane, where 35 and 10 cases have been reported, respectively,' Modiba said.
There have been 16 reported hospital admissions linked to measles in Tshwane, all of whom have since been discharged.
16 hospital admissions linked to measles in Tshwane
In response, the department has intensified its targeted vaccination campaign in schools, vaccinating more than 18 000 pupils to date across 15 schools in both Mamelodi and Winterveld.
Additionally, inter-facility immunisation has commenced, providing booster doses of measles-rubella to all age groups, regardless of their vaccination history.
ALSO READ: Health officials warn of rising German measles cases in South Africa
GDoH reported that immunisation coverage for the second dose of the measles vaccine remains below 75% in both Johannesburg and Tshwane — well below the threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
This has contributed to the steady increase in cases, including among individuals who had previously been vaccinated and even among some adults.
Modiba said the department launched a targeted response in the Johannesburg district, vaccinating close contacts and running outbreak campaigns in areas including Diepsloot, Midrand, Cosmo City, Hillbrow and Rosettenville.
Targeted response by department against measles outbreak
More than 3 500 people have received vaccinations in the district thus far, and additional campaigns are planned for busy community locations, such as Diepsloot and Cosmo City taxi ranks.
In Ekurhuleni, teams conducted targeted campaigns in Daveyton, Slovo Park, Tembisa, and Barcelona, where they have already vaccinated 560 children.
ALSO READ: Measles cases surging again in Europe: WHO
The West Rand and Sedibeng districts, while not currently experiencing outbreaks, remain on high alert.
'GDoH is working closely with districts to strengthen surveillance, ensure rapid response, and improve vaccination coverage. The department is expected to embark on a comprehensive four-week province-wide vaccination campaign as part of broader intervention activities,' Modiba said.
The MEC has called on all parents and guardians to ensure their children are immunised and to collaborate with health teams that run community and school campaigns.
Call for parents to vaccinate children
The department has instructed health facilities to isolate positive cases immediately and vaccinate their close contacts without delay.
'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 provided with vitamin A supplements to reduce the risk of complications,' Modiba said.
NOW READ: Measles cases rose 79 percent globally last year: WHO
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
Water interruptions affect major Gauteng hospitals
Several Gauteng health facilities are impacted by Rand Water maintenance, but services continue with a backup supply The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has confirmed that several health facilities in the province are experiencing water supply interruptions following a public notice from Rand Water regarding planned infrastructure maintenance. Maintenance began on 30 June and is expected to continue until 21 July. It is said to affect the Eikenhof, Zwartkopjes and Palmiet pumping stations. Contingency plans in place In response, the department said it is working with municipalities to mitigate the impact on healthcare services. 'The department is working closely with the municipality to implement contingency measures to minimise the impact on health services,' said the GDoH in a statement. 'Most health facilities are equipped with water tanks, boreholes and reservoirs that can provide water for a duration of two to four days.' ALSO READ: Gauteng health urges parents to take children for immunisation Helen Joseph and Charlotte Maxeke hospitals affected Gauteng Health further highlighted that Helen Joseph Hospital is currently experiencing water supply interruptions, which are also affecting surrounding communities. 'Johannesburg Water tankers have been dispatched to pump water into the hospital tanks to ensure continuity of services,' the department stated. Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital is also affected by the Zwartkopjes water system outage. Pumping to the Parktown 2 Reservoir, which supplies the hospital, was halted for 50 hours from Monday morning. Despite this, the hospital continues to receive water through gravity feed from the reservoir, while tanks are being topped up as needed. ALSO READ: Gauteng Health's warning for parents Community clinics relying on Jojo tanks The Alexandra Community Health Centre and Hillbrow Community Health Centre are also experiencing supply issues and are currently dependent on Jojo tanks for their water needs. The GDoH said it remains on high alert and is monitoring the situation across all affected facilities. 'We will provide regular updates regarding any developments that may affect the provision of health services in any of our facilities,' it said. Residents are urged to conserve water where possible and remain patient as services are maintained during the ongoing maintenance period. NOW READ: 'Remedial work at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital on track,' says Gauteng Health
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Tourist rescued after late night fall on Lion's Head
A group of hikers came to the rescue of a 68-year-old German visitor who was injured after a fall on the popular Lion's Head trail. The man had been descending the trail near the pine trees when he slipped on a tree root and fell around 10 metres down the stepped path. The accident was witnessed by a group of local hikers, who didn't hesitate to step in and help. Realising the visitor was in pain and unable to walk, the group quickly called the emergency number – (021) 937 0300 – and began administering first aid using supplies from their personal kit. While keeping him calm and as comfortable as possible, they stayed by his side until professional help arrived. Rescue teams from Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape, including Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedics and SANParks – Table Mountain National Park SEAM team members responded swiftly. After receiving initial treatment from a paramedic, the injured hiker bravely attempted to continue on foot with assistance. Initially, technical rescuers carefully lowered him through the steeper parts of the trail using ropes and a safety harness. However, as fatigue set in, he was later placed into a rescue stretcher and carried the rest of the way down by WSAR teams. The hiker was transported to hospital by ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. ambulance, and the rescue was safely concluded at 21:30. According to David Nel, a spokesperson for Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR): 'This incident highlights not only the importance of mountain safety, but also the extraordinary kindness and presence of mind shown by everyday people. 'Even experienced hikers can find themselves in trouble. Slippery trails, uneven terrain, and fatigue are common causes of accidents on our trails. That's why we continue to urge all outdoor enthusiasts to be well-prepared and never underestimate the mountain. 'The hikers' quick action, calm thinking, and compassion made a real difference in a moment of need, offering help to a complete stranger so far from home. 'We're grateful for the public's support and proud of our teams and partners who respond tirelessly, often late into the night, to bring people home safely. 'We thank them, and all involved, for embodying the true spirit of community and care, and wish the injured visitor a full and speedy recovery,' said Nel. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Phelophepa train brings free healthcare to Sedibeng residents
VEREENIGING – Hundreds of residents from across the Sedibeng District have once again benefited from the Transnet Phelophepa Healthcare Train, which has been providing a wide range of free health services, including general healthcare, dental care, psychological support, optometry, and chronic care. For the past two weeks, the train has been stationed at the Vereeniging Train Station, where it has become a hub of care and compassion. Each morning, long lines form as community members arrive early to access essential services. The dedication of residents, especially the elderly, highlights the vital need for accessible healthcare in the region. On June 25, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, visited the healthcare train to oversee operations, connect with residents, and emphasise the importance of prioritizing health. She was accompanied by representatives from Transnet, the Gauteng Department of Health, and local government officials. Speaking to Ster North, train manager Bheki Mendlula expressed gratitude for the MEC's consistent support. 'Before we arrived in Vereeniging, we were in Heidelberg, and the MEC visited us there too. Her regular visits show true commitment and help strengthen our partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health, one of our key stakeholders,' he said. Mendlula also noted that one of the most in-demand services was the eye clinic, which offers immediate prescription glasses, a major draw for residents who might otherwise face delays at local clinics. However, he raised concerns about people sleeping at the station overnight to secure a spot in line. 'We don't encourage this, especially since most of the people are elderly. Winter nights can be harsh and unsafe. But many still do it because they've come from far away and don't want to miss the opportunity,' he said. This visit marked more than just care at the station; the Phelophepa outreach programme extended its services deeper into local communities. Healthcare workers visited schools and offered support to learners, working in partnership with the Department of Education to bring healthcare directly to those in need. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
