THE Free State Department of Health is calling on residents to be extra conscious of the new measles outbreak, which was recently declared a second pandemic and highlighted the need for early childhood immunisation.
Provincial health MEC Montsheng Tsiu has confirmed that five cases of measles were reported in Bethlehem in the Thabo Mofutsanyana region and the affected patients are currently receiving medical treatment in the public health facilities.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is caused by the measles virus.
It spreads from person to person by close respiratory contact: breathing, coughing or sneezing.
It usually takes 10 to 14 days after exposure before the first symptoms develop.
It is important for members of the community to be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms which could include a cough, tiredness, coryza (inflammation of the inside of the nose), fever, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyes), and a red rash.
Other symptoms can include a sore mouth, diarrhoea, vomiting and poor appetite.
Tsiu said measles is a viral infection that can spread easily and it is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes serious complications such as pneumonia, hospitalisation, swelling of the brain and death.
“I wish to remind parents that the purpose of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in the country is to prevent death and reduce suffering from diseases of childhood that can be prevented by immunisation of children and women.
“Immunisation against these diseases, which includes measles, polio, diphtheria, whooping cough and pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), tuberculosis, pneumococcal diseases and diarrhoea caused by rotavirus, remains the most cost effective public health intervention currently available,” said Tsiu.
Tsiu appeals to community members to be vigilant and go to the nearest clinic or health care provider if any of these symptoms are experienced.
