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04/06/2026

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22/05/2026

Health Alert - For years, measles had become so uncommon in South Africa that many younger parents had never encountered a case firsthand. Thanks to widespread childhood vaccination, infections fell dramatically and the disease largely faded from public attention.

But recent figures tell a different story.

By 26 April 2026, South Africa had already recorded 1,352 laboratory-confirmed measles cases for the year. During the same period in 2025, there were just 182 confirmed cases - highlighting the speed at which the disease is spreading once again.

The warning comes as Klerksdorp Connect is aware of at least two local babies who have contracted measles in recent weeks.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. It spreads through coughing and sneezing and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room. Symptoms often begin with fever, a runny nose, cough and red eyes before the characteristic rash appears.

While many children recover, measles can cause serious complications including pneumonia, seizures, brain inflammation and, in severe cases, death - particularly among babies and young children.

The resurgence is not unique to South Africa. The United States and several European countries have also reported significant outbreaks this year, prompting renewed concern among health authorities worldwide.

Health experts continue to stress that vaccination remains the most effective protection against the virus.

06/05/2026

WHO currently assesses the risk to the global population from this event as low and will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment as more information becomes available.
[https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON599]

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), also referred to as hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), is a rare but severe zoonotic respiratory disease caused by hantaviruses carried by rodents.

Humans are typically infected through inhalation of airborne particles contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.

The illness usually begins with nonspecific symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal complaints, but can rapidly progress to cough, shortness of breath, and acute respiratory distress due to fluid accumulation in the lungs and capillary leakage.

This can lead to shock and life-threatening respiratory failure. HPS is characterized by rapid clinical deterioration and has a high case fatality rate, requiring prompt supportive medical care.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hantavirus

WHO South Africa

05/05/2026

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04/05/2026

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