Limpopo Government to foreground fight against measles as it celebrates National Children’s Day 2022
Limpopo Provincial Government led by the Premier, Mr. Chupu Stanley Mathabatha, will, on Saturday 05 November 2022, celebrate National Children’s Day under the theme “A better future for every child.”
The event will be used to heighten awareness about spread of measles. Limpopo has since experienced an outbreak of measles in various districts. Government encourages parents to ensure that children from six months up to fifteen years get measles vaccination booster shots to prevent this infectious disease.
In addition, the event will also look into the effects of COVID-19 on children, child protection, children’s rights, healthy lifestyle, bullying, school safety, education, and general hygiene.
Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba has advised parents, guardians and caregivers to remain vigilant as more positive laboratory confirmed measles cases are registered in both Sekhukhune and Mopani District.
Since the beginning of September 2022, Limpopo Department of Health has been on the alert screening, testing and vaccinating children for measles to avoid the spread of the disease. As of 01 November 2022, 4 new cases were detected in the Mopani District with 2 from Phalaborwa Municipality, 2 from Greater Giyani Municipality and 1 case from Sekhukhune District in the Fetakgomo Tubatse Municipality which bring the total number of the Measles cases to 23 to date.
Measles is a viral infection that’s serious for small children but is easily preventable by a vaccine. It is a highly infectious and spreads rapidly from person to person and persons of any age who are not vaccinated can catch measles and develop a disease. The disease spreads through the air by respiratory droplets produced from coughing or sneezing.
“If you see any person presenting with fever accompanied by maculopapular rash plus anyone of the three cough, conjunctivitis, and running nose, we should immediately visit our nearest health care facilities while isolating them for medical care. We encourage parents to bring their children to the nearest clinic for measles vaccination catchup if they have missed the 6 months and 12 months measles program. Let’s help prevent the spread of measles outbreak. Our district vaccination teams will be on the ground to make sure that no child is left unvaccinated. If we work together we can defeat this disease”, said MEC Ramathuba.
