Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 18: 24-30 April 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 30 April 2023
...
South Africa
Measles
970 Cases
0 Deaths
0.0% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
South Africa continues to report confirmed cases of
measles, nearly reaching the 1 000 mark since the
outbreak began in 11 October 2022. No measles related
deaths have been reported.
In the past two weeks (ending 18 April), there have been
20 laboratory-confirmed measles cases detected across
the country, of which the majority were from Limpopo
province (12). The percentage of samples testing positive
increased from 20% of 99 samples tested in week 14 to
22% of 79 samples tested in week 15. The measles strain
detected in Limpopo province and North West province
is genotype D8 which is similar to the strain in Zimbabwe
in the 2022 outbreak. No new cases were reported in
Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Western Cape,
Northern Cape and North West provinces in the same
reporting period.
Since the start of the outbreak on 11 October 2022 to 18
April 2023, the NICD has tested 5 798 serum samples for
measles, of which 970 (17%) were confirmed positive, of
which 964 (99%) were reported from the eight outbreak
affected provinces.
The distribution of confirmed cases among the affected
provinces include; Limpopo (405 cases), Mpumalanga
(108 cases), North West (216 cases), Gauteng (165
cases), Free State (29 cases), Western Cape (14),
KwaZulu-Natal (20) and Northern Cape (7), with Limpopo
and Mpumalanga reporting 53% of all cases.
The age of reported cases across the eight affected
provinces ranges from two months to 67 years. Children
between the 5-9 years age group are the most affected
411 (43%), followed by 228 (24%) in the 1-4 years age
group and 188 (20%) in the 10-14 year group. Disease
severity has been observed within the less than 1-year
age group as evidenced by majority of health facility
admissions in this age-group (56%).
The highest attack rate has been observed among the
5-9 (8.4 per 100 000 population) and 1-4 years (5.7 per
100 000 population) age groups.
Vaccination status for laboratory-confirmed measles
cases in provinces with a declared measles outbreak
indicates that 105 (11%) of the 964 cases have known
vaccination status, while 123 (13%) have an unknown
vaccination history. The age groups with the highest
number of vaccinated cases are those aged 1-4 years
and those aged 5-9 years.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
The South African Health authority are supporting the
following activities in response to the measles outbreak.
The public health response to the measles outbreak in
provinces is targeted at improving measles immunity in all
affected provinces.
Strengthening surveillance and coordination of
the response to the outbreak implemented at both
provincial and district levels is ongoing.
Provinces have conducted vaccination campaigns in
the affected areas. Routine immunization should be
reinforced as the outbreak is an opportunity to identify
and correct vaccination programme weaknesses.
Routine Immunization has been strengthened in
affected districts and provinces
Follow up on laboratory-confirmed measles cases for
case management support
Follow up and vaccinate the contacts of laboratory
confirmed cases.
Continue to support the response with additional
logistics including, medicines and medical
consumables for case management.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Overall, the incidence of measles appears to be decreasing across South Africa. However, Limpopo province has remained stable and largely contributed to the increased number of cases seen in the previous week. Continuous surveillance for measles cases in all provinces is recommended.
...
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/367498/OEW18-2430042023.pdf
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 18: 24-30 April 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 30 April 2023
...
South Africa
Measles
970 Cases
0 Deaths
0.0% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
South Africa continues to report confirmed cases of
measles, nearly reaching the 1 000 mark since the
outbreak began in 11 October 2022. No measles related
deaths have been reported.
In the past two weeks (ending 18 April), there have been
20 laboratory-confirmed measles cases detected across
the country, of which the majority were from Limpopo
province (12). The percentage of samples testing positive
increased from 20% of 99 samples tested in week 14 to
22% of 79 samples tested in week 15. The measles strain
detected in Limpopo province and North West province
is genotype D8 which is similar to the strain in Zimbabwe
in the 2022 outbreak. No new cases were reported in
Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Western Cape,
Northern Cape and North West provinces in the same
reporting period.
Since the start of the outbreak on 11 October 2022 to 18
April 2023, the NICD has tested 5 798 serum samples for
measles, of which 970 (17%) were confirmed positive, of
which 964 (99%) were reported from the eight outbreak
affected provinces.
The distribution of confirmed cases among the affected
provinces include; Limpopo (405 cases), Mpumalanga
(108 cases), North West (216 cases), Gauteng (165
cases), Free State (29 cases), Western Cape (14),
KwaZulu-Natal (20) and Northern Cape (7), with Limpopo
and Mpumalanga reporting 53% of all cases.
The age of reported cases across the eight affected
provinces ranges from two months to 67 years. Children
between the 5-9 years age group are the most affected
411 (43%), followed by 228 (24%) in the 1-4 years age
group and 188 (20%) in the 10-14 year group. Disease
severity has been observed within the less than 1-year
age group as evidenced by majority of health facility
admissions in this age-group (56%).
The highest attack rate has been observed among the
5-9 (8.4 per 100 000 population) and 1-4 years (5.7 per
100 000 population) age groups.
Vaccination status for laboratory-confirmed measles
cases in provinces with a declared measles outbreak
indicates that 105 (11%) of the 964 cases have known
vaccination status, while 123 (13%) have an unknown
vaccination history. The age groups with the highest
number of vaccinated cases are those aged 1-4 years
and those aged 5-9 years.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
The South African Health authority are supporting the
following activities in response to the measles outbreak.
The public health response to the measles outbreak in
provinces is targeted at improving measles immunity in all
affected provinces.
Strengthening surveillance and coordination of
the response to the outbreak implemented at both
provincial and district levels is ongoing.
Provinces have conducted vaccination campaigns in
the affected areas. Routine immunization should be
reinforced as the outbreak is an opportunity to identify
and correct vaccination programme weaknesses.
Routine Immunization has been strengthened in
affected districts and provinces
Follow up on laboratory-confirmed measles cases for
case management support
Follow up and vaccinate the contacts of laboratory
confirmed cases.
Continue to support the response with additional
logistics including, medicines and medical
consumables for case management.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Overall, the incidence of measles appears to be decreasing across South Africa. However, Limpopo province has remained stable and largely contributed to the increased number of cases seen in the previous week. Continuous surveillance for measles cases in all provinces is recommended.
...
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/367498/OEW18-2430042023.pdf