Health department warns of possible measles outbreak

The Department of Health has warned South Africans of a possible measles outbreak, following the latest report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), that there has been a surge in vaccine-preventable diseases over the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The head of child health unit at the health department, Dr Lesley Bamford, says there has not been a measles surge specific to South Africa yet.

“The figures that were quoted by the WHO and UNICEF are the global figures. So there certainly has been an increase in a number of cases globally. So, certainly, we are concerned and need to be alert to the possibilities and are monitoring carefully,” explains Bamford.

Below is the full interview: