The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has confirmed several measles cases linked to schools in Hout Bay.
According to a statement, cases have been identified at Hout Bay Primary School, Oranjekloof Moravian Primary School, and Disa Primary School, prompting health authorities to step up vaccination and monitoring efforts in the area.
Provincial health officials say the rise in measles infections forms part of a broader increase being seen across the Western Cape and elsewhere in South Africa.
The department has attributed the resurgence to declining childhood vaccination rates, resulting in outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, and diphtheria.
In response, the department plans to roll out a series of community vaccination outreach initiatives in Hout Bay aimed at improving measles immunisation coverage and preventing further spread of the disease.
Routine vaccination programmes are also being intensified, with health officials working with schools to ensure that parents are informed and that children’s immunisation records are up to date.
Sister Toni Ahjam, operational nursing manager at the Hout Bay Community Day Centre, urged parents to ensure their children receive their vaccines on time.
“As a community, we all have a role to play in protecting our children’s health. Making sure that children receive their vaccines on time helps prevent serious illness and limits the spread of infections,” she said.
The department has activated an early warning and response system to monitor the outbreak, which includes enhanced disease surveillance, clinical management of cases, and targeted vaccination campaigns in affected areas.
Children will only be immunised with the consent of parents or legal guardians, said the statement.
Health officials have also asked parents to watch for symptoms of measles, a highly contagious viral illness that affects the respiratory tract.
Symptoms include fever, rash, runny nose, red eyes, and coughing.
Parents are advised to keep children with symptoms at home and seek medical attention at their nearest clinic if a child develops a fever, becomes unusually sleepy or struggles to eat.
Complications from measles can include pneumonia, diarrhoea, brain infection and blindness, particularly in young children and those who are malnourished.
Free childhood vaccines are available at public health facilities, and catch-up doses can be administered if a child has missed a scheduled immunisation.
Sentinel News reached out to the schools mentioned in the article for comment, but they declined to respond and referred all queries to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
WCED spokesperson, Millicent Merton confirmed that schools in Hout Bay are following strict health protocols amid recent measles cases.
“Schools are required and informed to manage all communicable diseases in line with DBE Circular S17 of 2023, and they operate accordingly,” said Ms Merton.
She said that no schools or grades have been closed.
“Parents have been asked not to send sick pupils to school. Our schools are monitoring pupils for possible symptoms and will respond following Circular S17 and standard health procedures. District staff are also providing support and guidance to schools,” she said.
The WCED is working closely with the Department of Health, which is rolling out a vaccination programme in the affected communities to prevent further spread of the disease, said Ms Merton.
To read more about child health and immunisation services, visit:https://www.westerncape.gov.za/health-wellness/article/child-health-and-immunisation
Staff Reporter
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