Due to various delays, no new mumps tests have been done since March, rendering current data on the recent outbreak outdated, according to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD).
The institute declared mumps an outbreak earlier this year after a sudden increase in cases between January and March, reports EWN, with the majority of cases being in KZN, in children aged five to nine years old.
The NICD says there have been 580 cases countrywide since the beginning of the year, with 280 cases in KZN – 47% of all cases
More than 1 700 tests have been carried out, and positive cases detected in eight provinces: Mpumalanga recorded 97 positive tests (17%), followed by Gauteng with 64 (11%), and North West with 57 (10%), reports News24.
The NICD said that there had been a decline in cases, but that this could be the result of the incomplete testing data.
“It is also important to note that mumps is diagnosed symptomatically and is not a notifiable medical condition.”
EWN article – Testing delays hamper data collection on mumps outbreak – NICD (Open access)
News24 article – KZN has recorded almost half of SA’s mumps cases, says NICD (Open access)
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