Urgent call for vaccinations as measles cases rise in Dunoon

Residents of Dunoon are being urged to ensure their children are fully vaccinated following a rise in measles cases in the area, as the Western Cape experiences an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases.

The recent measles outbreaks in Dunoon form part of a broader trend across the province and the country, where declining childhood vaccination rates are placing public health at risk, according to a statement by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.

Health authorities warn that reduced immunisation coverage has contributed to outbreaks of measles, rubella and diphtheria, highlighting serious gaps in community immunity.

According to the statement, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has intensified its immunisation efforts since October 2024, with a strong focus on protecting young children from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. Ensuring high vaccination coverage remains a top priority, particularly in communities where cases are rising rapidly.

The department stated it has also implemented an early warning and response system to manage outbreaks. This includes improved coordination of response teams, strengthened disease surveillance, proper clinical management of cases and increased community engagement.

Targeted vaccination outreach programmes will be prioritised in areas such as Dunoon, where measles infections are increasing.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that affects the respiratory system. Common symptoms include a high fever, rash, runny nose, red or inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and coughing.

While healthcare practitioners can often identify measles based on symptoms, blood samples are taken to confirm the diagnosis through laboratory testing.

Parents and caregivers in Dunoon are encouraged to be vigilant and to keep children at home if they show any symptoms associated with measles, to limit the spread of the disease. If a child develops a fever, appears unusually sleepy or struggles to eat, they should be taken to the nearest clinic without delay.

Health officials warn that measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, diarrhoea, brain infection and blindness. These complications are more severe in young infants under the age of two and in children who are malnourished, according to the statement.

Free childhood vaccinations are available at all public health facilities, and children who have missed scheduled immunisations can receive catch-up doses. Vaccines are also accessible through private healthcare facilities and public-private partnerships.

Parents are reminded not to assume that their children are already immune. The Department has called on families to ensure children attend routine immunisation appointments and to sign consent forms when school vaccination teams visit local schools, said the statement.

Health authorities stress that protecting children through vaccination is a shared community responsibility and remains one of the most effective ways to prevent further outbreaks in Dunoon and across the Western Cape.