NICD warns of Rubella outbreak in South Africa

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed a Rubella outbreak in South Africa, primarily affecting children under ten and pregnant women.

Symptoms of the viral infection include fever, rash, runny nose, red eyes, and cough.

The NICD has highlighted significant risks for pregnant women, particularly those in the first trimester, as exposure to Rubella may lead to Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). This condition can cause severe abnormalities in unborn babies, including heart defects, blindness, and deafness.

NICD spokesperson Dr. Kerrigan McCarthy advised pregnant women to seek medical advice if they have been in contact with an infected person.

“If a mom is diagnosed with Rubella while she is pregnant, she should be referred to specialist obstetric services where she will be advised on the health of her little one. The NICD expects that the Rubella outbreak will be over by the end of the year or early January,” McCarthy stated.

To curb the outbreak, the Department of Health has introduced the Rubella vaccine for children aged six and nine months, McCarthy confirmed.