The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed an outbreak of rubella, commonly known as German measles, in South Africa.
The outbreak predominantly affects children under the age of 10 and poses significant risks to pregnant women.
The NICD has reported a sharp rise in fever-rash samples submitted for testing, signaling a nationwide increase in rubella cases.
Rubella symptoms include fever, rash, runny nose, red eyes, and coughing.
“South Africa is currently experiencing an outbreak of rubella infection, predominantly in children under the age of 10,” said Dr Kerrigan McCarthy, a pathologist at the NICD.
“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.”
Dr McCarthy also emphasised the serious implications for pregnant women exposed to the virus, particularly during the first trimester.
“Foetuses infected with rubella while they are in utero may be born with congenital abnormalities,” she warned, urging pregnant women who come into contact with infected individuals to seek immediate medical attention.
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