Picture: The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha cautioned the members of the public and communities in the province about the outbreak of mumps diseases. According to Sambatha, the province has experienced an increase in the outbreak and the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District has the highest
Prevalence.
“The cases have risen to a total of 342 in no time and further spread to other districts. The Dr Kenneth Kaunda District alone has reported 276 cases thus far, out of the 342 which are prevalent at JB Marks, Maquassi Hills, and Matlosana.
“The Ngaka Modiri Molema District has reported 30 cases, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District has 27 cases, while Bojanala has recorded 9 cases. The outbreak follows confirmation of laboratory results by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD),” he said.
Sambatha further said the NICD has described mumps as an acute viral infection caused by the rubulavirus, also known as mumps virus. He added that it is sometimes called ‘infectious parotitis’, as it causes painful swelling of the parotid and or salivary glands.
“Mumps is generally a mild childhood disease, mostly affecting children between 5 to 9 years of age. However, younger and older children as well as adults, can become infected with mumps.
“People who have had mumps are usually protected for life against another mumps infection. However, second occurrences of mumps do rarely occur. So, we call on the members of the public, parents, and caregivers to heed the call for immunisation of children against mumps,” said Sambatha.
He said, parents and caregivers should bring along the “Road to Health”
immunisation cards to the nearby health facility to ensure that their children are immunised against mumps. Sambatha said their outbreak response teams are also working hard to contain the spread.
“We will also work with the North West Department of Education to take
the campaign to learners through the School Health Programme and parents
and caregivers are urged to give consent for immunisation of their children,” he said.
The Guardian 