The nation-wide measles outbreak that has been particularly prevalent in some parts of the Eastern Cape, has not affected Grahamstown.
The nation-wide measles outbreak that has been particularly prevalent in some parts of the Eastern Cape, has not affected Grahamstown.
Local clinics and medical practices said that no cases of measles had been reported. Doctors at the High Street medical practice said that it was possible for another ailment to be misdiagnosed as measles.
“Sometimes people get a rash and they think that it’s measles,” Dr Rudi Marx explained. “But so far there have been no cases of genuine measles.” He has been working in Grahamstown since 1969.
“In the old days we used to see a lot of measles cases. But today it is virtually unheard of. The vaccination has been enormously successful.”
He added, however, that cases can still occur. Dr Murray Gainsford said he is aware of the measles outbreak in the country but it has not reached Grahamstown.
“In the thirteen years that I have been in Grahamstown, I have not treated a single case of measles.” He
added that, “People often confuse measles with German measles.
Measles is a much more serious disease.” German measles is a mild infection that results in a rash which usually disappears after three days.
The measles virus causes flu-like symptoms including fever and a runny nose, a rash covering the entire body, and red eyes. There is no treatment for measles and so prevention is critical.
The vaccination is given to children between 12 and 15 months. It could, however, be given to infants as young as six months during an outbreak.
If symptoms appear, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Complications of measles include pneumonia, which could be fatal.
