Measles medical cases were once rapid in South Africa with the Department of Health urging citizens to vaccinate children.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), measles is a highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus. Patients infected with measles present with fever and a rash. The rash looks like small, red, flat spots that start on the face/head and spread downwards over the body. The rash usually does not form blisters, nor is it itchy or painful.
NICD says these are the Signs of measles (not limited to):
- Cough
- Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
- Coryza (running nose)
According to the above health source complicated signs of measles include:
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Middle ear infection
- Brain infection (encephalitis)
- Blindness
- Death
The NICD highlights that complications are more common in those who are infected with measles as young infants (under two years of age), children who are malnourished and people who have underlying medical conditions. Anyone who is not immune to measles can get infected by an infected person. It is reported that once a person has had measles or the vaccination, they can be immune from the virus.
Vaccinated people can be protected from severe symptoms of measles, mostly for the rest of their lives. NICD reports show that communities become vulnerable to outbreaks of the virus when more than 5% of people are not vaccinated.
Measles can be spread by contact with saliva or mucus droplets from the mouth or nose of an infected person when they breathe, cough or sneeze. This is because the droplets can remain airborne for up to two hours in enclosed areas and can infect individuals.
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