There is no meningococcal meningitis outbreak in the Western Cape, the provincial Department of Health and Wellness said last week, noting that only 11 – sporadic – cases had been recorded between 1 January and 22 February, and just one death.
Eight cases were recorded in the Cape Town Metro district, two in the Cape Winelands, and one in the Overberg District, and most in infants under 12 months old, said department spokesperson Shimoney Regter.
“We are monitoring disease surveillance data to identify trends, clusters, outbreaks, and areas that must be prioritised for targeted vaccination or outreach,” Regter added.
Meningococcal disease, which is endemic to South Africa, occurs all year round, with a peak from June to October, and with mostly babies being affected.
Certain strains of meningococcal disease can be prevented through vaccination, and although South Africa has a registered meningococcal vaccine, it is not part of the national immunisation programme, but is accessible at tertiary hospitals “where it is offered to individuals identified as being at high risk for invasive meningococcal disease, or privately when prescribed by a doctor”.
Regter also noted that the department was managing a measles and diphtheria outbreak, due to declining childhood immunisation rates and population immunity gaps in the province.
Measles cases were rising in the Cape Town Metro, which has reported 203 laboratory-confirmed cases between 29 December and 15 February, and targeted vaccination was being done in the relevant areas where clusters or outbreaks were identified.
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