NICD confirms rubella outbreak in South Africa
The NICD said the outbreak is primarily affecting children under ten and pregnant women.
Computer illustration of the Rubella virus, commonly known as German measles. Picture: AFP
CAPE TOWN - The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed a rubella, commonly known as German measles, outbreak in South Africa.
The NICD said the outbreak is primarily affecting children under ten and pregnant women.
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There is currently a surge in fever-rash samples for testing, indicating a pronounced increase in rubella cases nationwide.
Symptoms of the viral infection include fever, rash, runny nose, red eyes, and cough.
"South Africa is currently experiencing an outbreak of rubella infection, predominantly in children under the age of 10,” said NICD pathologist Dr Kerrigan McCarthy.
“Rubella is a mild infection in children. It presents with fever and a rash and sometimes a runny nose or red eyes and a cough."
McCarthy said that if a pregnant woman comes into contact with an infected person, she should seek urgent, immediate help.
"The reason rubella is of concern is that infection in a pregnant woman who is in her first trimester may lead to a syndrome called congenital rubella syndrome. Foetuses infected with rubella while they are in utero may be born with congenital abnormalities."