Measles cases near 1,000 in S/Africa

Confirmed cases of measles are increasing in South Africa, now reaching 970 since its outbreak in October 2022, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said on Tuesday.

NICD said 43 per cent of those infected are aged five to nine years.

Twenty-four per cent are from one to four years and 20 per cent are aged 10 to 14 years.

The government declared measles outbreak in all the provinces in South Africa except for the Eastern Cape, according to the institute.

The prevention and control of measles outbreaks can only be achieved through vaccination.

But the measles vaccination coverage still remains low in the country, the NICD said.

It is urging people to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles. (Xinhua)