Measles Surge Spikes Across South America

Wendy Jasson Da Costa Wendy Jasson da Costa and Tracy-Lynn Ruiters South Africa is experiencing a significant increase in measles cases, pu...

Wendy Jasson Da Costa

Wendy Jasson da Costa and Tracy-Lynn Ruiters

South Africa is experiencing a significant increase in measles cases, putting thousands of children at risk as lower vaccination rates create opportunities for the virus to spread. Several outbreaks have been documented in Gauteng, the Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, the Northern Cape, and the Cape Town Metro.

The National Department of Health (NDoH) acknowledged the recent outbreaks this week but highlighted that individuals who have finished their childhood immunization program do not require additional vaccinations. Foster Mohale, the department's representative, stated that children in the public healthcare system should get two doses of the measles vaccine, administered as the Measles Rubella (MR) injection at six months and again at 12 months.

"The outbreaks are caused by less than ideal vaccination rates and possibly a decrease in immunity among vaccinated children," Mohale stated.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has verified the rising number of cases. According to its data, there were 1,795 lab-confirmed measles cases in the first 45 weeks of 2025—nearly nine months—with 114 new cases reported in just the last week. Gauteng is the most impacted province, having recorded 745 confirmed cases so far. The Western Cape noted 52 new cases around mid-October, while the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health stated yesterday that it is not experiencing a measles outbreak.

In June, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) noted instances in Tshwane, with concentrated areas in Mamelodi and Winterveld, along with cases reported in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and the West Rand. During that period, the GDoH observed that the rate of immunisation for the second dose of the measles vaccine was still under 75% in both Johannesburg and Tshwane, "far below the threshold needed to stop outbreaks."

Shimoney Regter, representing the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, mentioned that the province is worried about the recent increase in measles cases. From 1 January to 8 November 2025, the Western Cape reported 282 lab-confirmed measles cases, primarily in the Cape Town Metro, with no fatalities recorded.

"This rise is not specific to the Western Cape. South Africa is witnessing a drop in childhood vaccination rates, which presents a significant threat to public health and undermines the nation's attempts to eradicate vaccine-preventable diseases," Regter stated. She noted that this decrease has led to outbreaks of measles, rubella, and diphtheria throughout the province, highlighting major weaknesses in population immunity.

Regter stated that routine childhood vaccination rates have decreased considerably. For children under one year in the Western Cape, the coverage rate dropped to 67.4% in 2024/25, a slight decrease from 67.6% in 2023/24, well below the 95% target required for herd immunity. She linked the drop to interruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccine reluctance fueled by false information. "Reduced coverage weakens herd immunity, increasing the likelihood of outbreaks," she mentioned.

In response, the department has introduced an early alert and action system, featuring focused vaccination efforts in high-risk regions like Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Eerste River, Somerset West, Mitchells Plain, Kraaifontein, and Wesbank. A country-wide measles vaccination initiative is currently taking place from November 3 to 28, with medical teams working to eliminate immunity gaps via large-scale immunization, enhanced monitoring, and public engagement.

The NICD stated that measles is common in South Africa and typically increases during the autumn and spring seasons. Health officials once more advised parents to make sure their children are completely vaccinated, cautioning that even minor decreases in vaccination rates can reverse years of advancement in managing diseases that can be prevented through vaccines.

In 2022, the World Health Organization identified measles as a "serious threat across all global regions," pointing out that almost 40 million children skipped at least one vaccination in 2021 because of limited healthcare access during the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO also mentioned that measles spreads more easily than the Omicron variant of COVID-19, with nine million new cases each year leading to 128,000 fatalities.

Common signs usually develop 10–14 days following exposure, featuring a noticeable rash, a stuffy nose, coughing, red and teary eyes, and tiny white spots inside the mouth. The rash typically starts on the face and upper neck, later spreading to the hands and feet over a period of 7–18 days. Possible complications may involve vision loss, brain inflammation, serious diarrhea and dehydration, ear infections, and significant respiratory issues, such as pneumonia.

Although measles cases are a matter of concern, rubella infections are also increasing, with 1,698 cases identified across the country by week 45.

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