THE Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have recorded the majority of the increasing number of laboratory-confirmed cases of rubella around the country, says the Department of Health.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a total number of 10137 positive cases of rubella have been identified between January and November 2024, higher than cases recorded last year.
Rubella is a highly contagious, but vaccine-preventable disease.
“Majority of cases were recorded in Gauteng and the Western Cape provinces, while more than 90% of the total cases are in children between under 15 years of age accounting to over 8300 cases, with only one patient over the age of 50 years,” the department said.
Gauteng reported 2603 cases, the Western Cape 1338, KwaZulu-Natal 1996, Eastern Cape 1113, North West 899,…