Children Most Affected by Mumps Outbreak in South Africa

by
1 min read
south africa mumps

According to the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD), South Africa is currently experiencing a mumps outbreak which has raised concerns. The infection is caused by the rubavirus and is most commonly found in children between the ages of 5 and 9; however, it can infect individuals of all ages. The symptoms of mumps include painful swelling of the salivary glands, which can occur on one or both sides of the face.

Second Occurrences of Mumps

While previous exposure to mumps generally provides lifetime immunity, second occurrences are possible. Reports of potential clusters or outbreaks in various provinces have prompted the NICD to investigate further.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Data Analysis Confirms Outbreak

To confirm the outbreak, the NICD analyzed national public sector laboratory test data for mumps PCR positives and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) positives from 2013 to the present. The data revealed that the annual percent-positivity for mumps IgM tests rose to an alarming 69% in 2023, with children aged 1-4 years being the most affected group.

Monitoring the Epidemic Curve

The epidemic curve monitors the number of cases over time and shows a consistent increase in IgM test positives from the sixth week of 2023. Provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng have reported the majority of these cases. According to the NICD, the sudden growth in IgM and PCR test positives confirms the existence of an outbreak.

Curbing the Spread of the Virus

Public health authorities in countries with widely available mumps vaccinations may recommend an extra dose of the combination measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to individuals at higher risk of infection during an outbreak. Unfortunately, the MMR vaccine is not universally available in South Africa.

Seeking Medical Attention

The NICD encourages individuals to consult their local healthcare provider if they suspect they have contracted the infection. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of mumps and to seek prompt medical attention if exposed to the virus. This will not only help prevent further spread of the disease but also ensure that those affected receive appropriate treatment and support.

Tags:

You might be interested in

Tumi Makgale is a Cape Town-based journalist whose crisp reportage on the city’s booming green-tech scene is regularly featured in the Mail & Guardian and Daily Maverick. Born and raised in Gugulethu, she still spends Saturdays bargaining for snoek at the harbour with her gogo, a ritual that keeps her rooted in the rhythms of the Cape while she tracks the continent’s next clean-energy breakthroughs.

View all

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

events entertainment
Previous Story

Cape Town’s Successful Events Season and Plans for the Future

south africa hiv prevention
Next Story

South Africa Gears Up for Anti-HIV Injection Production: A Comprehensive Overview

Latest from Blog

Kiteboarding Extreme Sports

Forty Metres of Air: The Morning Kiteboarding Rewrote Physics

Hugo Wigglesworth, a young kiteboarder, defied gravity and rewrote the record books by soaring an incredible 40 meters into the air. He used powerful winds, a perfectly timed jump off a wave, and special gear to achieve this amazing feat. His careful planning and hundreds of practice runs made him fly higher than anyone before, showing the world what’s possible in kiteboarding.

housing crisis Airbnb

Airbnb Under Fire: How Cape Town’s Housing Crunch Became a Tourism Blame-Game

Cape Town’s housing woes are NOT really Airbnb’s fault, even though a viral photo tried to blame them! The real problem is that not enough homes are being built, and lots of new people are moving to the city. Getting building permits takes forever, making homes expensive. Airbnb brings in lots of money and jobs, and even if all Airbnbs disappeared, it wouldn’t fix the big housing shortage. The city needs to build more homes and make it easier to do so, not just point fingers at tourists.

Cape Town Restaurants

Cape Town’s Hottest Tables: Where Summer Tastes Like Salt, Smoke and Midnight Vinyl

Cape Town’s new restaurants are super exciting, offering amazing tastes from the ocean, farms, and even old recipes. Places like Amura serve unique sea dishes, while Tannin has a huge wine list and tiny plates. Café Sofi bakes heavenly pastries, Beach Buns makes awesome burgers, and Le Bistrot de JAN mixes French and South African flavors. These spots let you taste the city’s lively food scene, from fancy dinners to casual beach eats, making every meal an adventure.

South Africa Ocean

Between Concrete and Current – Four Inland Hearts Meet the Indian Ocean

This article tells a beautiful story of four South Africans from inland places who see the Indian Ocean for the very first time. For many, the sea is just a picture, far away and hard to reach. But when these brave people finally touch the salty water, it changes them deeply. They feel the ocean’s power, taste its salt, and understand that this huge, blue world is now a part of their own story, breaking down old ideas about who can connect with the sea.