Garden Route warned of possible German measles outbreak

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has warned of a potential outbreak of rubella (German measles) in the Garden Route region.

The NICD said that its Centre for Vaccines and Immunology (CVI) has reviewed available data and confirmed 11 cases of rubella in the George area – a sign that there may be an outbreak if action is not taken.

"These data are in keeping with the assessment that there is an increase in cases of rubella in the Western Cape, including the Garden Route District. The subject matter experts at CVI have postulated that given the population immunity profile, with many more people susceptible to rubella through absent community circulation of the virus since 2020, that an upsurge of cases is to be expected," said the NICD's Nevashan Govender.