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Wednesday, 18 February, 2026
HomeNews UpdatePaediatric illness outbreak in Eastern Cape

Paediatric illness outbreak in Eastern Cape

A cluster of paediatric illness cases in Aberdeen, in the Sarah Baartman District of the Eastern Cape, has prompted a warning from the provincial Health Department, reports AlgoaFM.

The Health MEC’s spokesperson, Camagwini Mavovana, said there had been an increase in children under five all suffering from similar respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. These include fever, headache, sore throat, cough or runny nose, loss of appetite, and in some cases, vomiting and abdominal cramps.

She said the situation was being treated as a suspected localised outbreak, pending laboratory confirmation.

Most cases are reported to be mild and manageable, and the department would continue to monitor the situation.

 

AlgoaFM article – Suspected paediatric illness outbreak in Aberdeen (Open access)

 

See more from MedicalBrief archives:

 

‘Walking pneumonia’ may be causing rise in paediatric illnesses worldwide

 

Hand, foot and mouth disease cases surge in Eastern Cape

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