Measles outbreak still ongoing, Ministry warns

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Thursday January 7, 2010 00:00

 

So far 147 cases have been confirmed. The Ministry has however admitted that there is need for proper surveillance systems, case management and referral systems in order to curb the disease.

Exposure to measles as well as failure to being vaccinated during childhood are some of the factors identified by the Ministry as causing measles to spread.

HIV and AIDS is another factor that reduces the duration of post vaccination immunity as it weakens an individual's system leaving it prone to other infections. People who have suffered some cancer forms are also at high risk of contracting measles.

Recovery from measles which takes between five to 35 days varies from individual to individual depending on the strength of their immune system.

Symptoms of measles are fever, headache, cough, muscle and joint pain with running nose, reddish discolouration of the eye (conjunctivitis) and rash that usually starts around the face.