Measles in South Africa (update)
03 February 2010
Western Cape Health Department has reported that 236 measles cases have been confirmed in the province since September 2009.
A mass immunisation campaign sheduled to start in April has been brought forward to begin in February 2010.
The Eastern Cape province has also experienced an increase in measles cases during the past month. By mid-January 2010, there were 50 suspected measles cases awaiting confirmation.
More that 100 measles cases have been reported in the city of Cape Town since October 2009.
Advice for travellers
It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-15 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 6 months, while unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves may consider vaccination if thought to be at risk.Two doses of MMR vaccine is required to give adequate protection.
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