Following the announcement by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of an outbreak of mumps in South Africa, the North West Department of Health has confirmed 342 cases of the virus and warned that more cases could be recorded.
The NICD described mumps as an acute viral infection that causes painful swelling of the parotid and salivary glands.
According to the institute, the symptoms include fever and a non-painful rash, although anyone can catch the disease, mumps is most commonly found in children in the five to nine age group.
North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha, said the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District has so far recorded the highest cases across the province.
“The Dr Kenneth Kaunda District alone has thus far reported 276 cases out of the 342 which are prevalent at JB Marks, Maquassi Hills, and Matlosana. Ngaka Modiri Molema District has 30 cases, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District has 27 cases, while Bojanala has recorded 9 cases. With the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District having the highest prevalence, the cases have risen to a total of 342 in no time and further spread to other districts is already picking up,” Sambatha said.
Sambatha urged parents to go to health facilities to ensure the safety of their children against mumps by vaccinating.
“Parents and caregivers should bring along the “Road to Health” immunization cards to the nearby health facility to ensure that their children are immunized against mumps. Our outbreak response teams are also working hard to contain the spread. We will also work with the Education Department to take the campaign to learners through the School Health Programme and parents and caregivers are urged to give consent for immunization of their children” he said.
In a statement, the NICD said that based on the review, compared to the previous peak of infections, they found that the annual percent-positivity for 2023 is 69%, compared to 39% in 2019.
It said the tests also showed an increase in positive tests among those aged four and younger (84% in 2023) and the five- to nine-year age category (83%).
The NICD surveillance picked up a recent rise of positive cases of mumps in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng.
“To limit transmission during an outbreak in countries where mumps vaccination is universally available, public health authorities may recommend an additional dose of the combination measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for people who belong to groups at increased risk for getting mumps,” the NICD said.
The North West Department of Health said it will launch vaccination campaigns at schools to stop the spread of the mumps virus.
