You are in :Toddler

Measles Epidemic

How Concerned Should We Be?


Cape Town City recently published a warning on their website with regards to the measles epidemic that is spreading around the Western Cape, apparently faster than you can say “M.M.R.”

Child Health Check-Up

So how worried should we be?

Our kids are all exposed to hundreds of germs and viruses every day in the playground, and we cannot protect against them all. My son has had his 9 month measles jab, his MMR at 3 years and now a measles booster at 5 years of age. Surely this is overkill?

I spoke to my paediatrician about it, asking for his advice prior to the National school measles vaccination campaign which launched this week. Apparently this strain of measles is more virulent than any we’ve seen in the Western Cape for many years. And indeed, a close friend’s baby boy, who I’m told was inoculated at 9 months, has now been hospitalised due to this current viral outbreak. So the advice seems to be sound.

What do we need to know about measles in order to protect our children?

Well, the symptoms are a cough, runny nose, fever and a blotchy red rash that appears several days after the initial symptoms. According to Cape Town's health department spokesperson Ivan Bromfield, “The rash first develops in the facial area, with swelling of the eyes, conjunctiva and a redness of the mouth. The rash then spreads over the body within three to seven days".

Although measles is most severe in children who are malnourished and weak, or under the age of 1, it can affect anyone (even adults) and may also have horrible complications such as pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhoea, croup and convulsions.

The bottom line is it’s important to vaccinate your child, and if they haven’t had a booster in the last 6 months, make sure they get one. The schools are offering it for free during April, and you can also take your child to any city health clinic, where it will be administered for free.

Most chemists and pharmacies with nurses on site will be able to administer the measles booster as well, although it may not be free. Estimated cost is around R150.