Tshwane to roll out measles-rubella vaccine drive as rubella cases rise

The Tshwane Metro recently announced its intention to roll out a measles-rubella vaccine drive in light of the rise of Rubella cases this year.

The Department of Health has reported more than 10 000 nationwide cases from January to November.

Gauteng recorded the most cases in the country.

The breakdown per province is as follows:

• Eastern Cape: 1 113
• Free State: 471
• Gauteng: 2 603
• KwaZulu-Natal: 1 996
• Mpumalanga: 665
• Limpopo: 190
• North West: 899
• Northern Cape: 862
• Western Cape: 1 338.

Rubella, often referred to as German measles, is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects children and is preventable through vaccination.

Tshwane MMC for Health, Tshegofatso Mashabela, said current low vaccination rates have contributed significantly to this outbreak.

“As of now, the vaccination coverage for childhood diseases in South Africa remains insufficient. It is crucial that we address these gaps to protect our community, especially the most vulnerable among us. Pregnant women face the gravest risks if they are infected with rubella during the first trimester. The potential for congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is high, leading to severe birth defects such as heart problems, hearing impairment and developmental delays,” she said.

Mashabela said the metro’s health department is working diligently to curb the spread and there is no cause for panic.

Healthcare facilities are on high alert for symptoms such as rash, fever, sore throat, maculopapular rash (rash that causes lesions on the skin), myalgia – muscle aches and pain, enlarged lymph nodes, headache and conjunctivitis.

Occasionally, infected persons may develop joint pain (arthralgia), low platelets and mild encephalitis (inflammation of the brain tissues).

Residents displaying any symptoms associated with rubella will receive prompt medical attention.

The metro has urged the public to avoid crowded places where the virus can easily spread through respiratory droplets.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), over 8 700 IgM-positive cases have been identified up until week 40.

To date, 98% (8 543 – 8 723) of cases have occurred in children under 15, with the bulk occurring in the 5-9- age group.

A total of 10137 positive cases of rubella have been identified in the country between January and November.

The NCID listed the following three reasons for the rise in rubella cases:

–  Immunity to rubella infection or rubella vaccination is lifelong. If children are not vaccinated against rubella, and never come into contact with rubella virus through natural infection, they will remain susceptible to rubella.

–  Vaccination against rubella has not been part of the NCID’s EPI programme before 2024. The Department of Health is presently rolling out the combined measles-rubella-containing vaccine (MRCV), which will be administered to 6- and 12- month-old children as soon as each province exhausts its stock of measles-containing vaccine (MCV).

– The non-pharmaceutical interventions that were applied during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic interrupted transmission of rubella, and for the period 2020-2022, there were almost no rubella cases identified from the NDoH/NICD fever-rash surveillance.

“This underscores the urgency of vaccination and the need for heightened vigilance among expecting mothers. We appeal to parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are vaccinated according to the national immunisation schedule. Vaccination remains the most effective means of prevention. Our healthcare services will remain operational throughout the festive season to provide the necessary support and treatment. There is no need for panic, but we must remain vigilant and proactive in our efforts to control this outbreak,” Mashabela said.

Mashabela encouraged residents to adhere to vaccination schedules and stay informed by following health authorities and evidence-based credible sources.

Clinicians who suspect congenital rubella infection may submit blood and nasopharyngeal swabs to the NICD for testing. The specimen should be marked ‘Priority sample, URGENT testing required’, and an email should be sent to the NCID.

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