A rubella outbreak has been confirmed countrywide with more than 8,000 infections identified - but health authorities say there is no need to panic - yet. National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) spokesperson Dr Kerrigan McCarthy said yesterday 8,700 positive cases had been identified.
"NICD is reporting a large increase in rubella cases nationwide. As of week 40 [end of September], over 8,700 positive cases have been identified.
"Notably, 98% of these cases have affected children under 15, with the majority occurring in the five to nine year age group.
"This surge - surpassing the figures recorded in 2015 - is attributed to a large number of children entering 2024 without prior rubella exposure or vaccination," said McCarthy.
Department of health spokesperson Foster Mohale confirmed the outbreak but said the situation was under control.
"There is no need to panic, but the public must visit their nearest health care centres as soon as they present the symptoms.
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Plenty on the line in Tests
With so much on the line in the Test series starting on Thursday, the Proteas can be forgiven for losing to Pakistan in the ODI series last week, but only if they deliver in the five-day campaign.
BUCS TO BOUNCE BACK?
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'Beaten Proteas can fight for title'
Despite falling in a 3-0 defeat to Pakistan in their ODI series which concluded on Sunday, Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter remains confident his squad can put up a fight for the title at next year's Champions Trophy tournament.
'Joshua bout only fight left for Fury'
Tyson Fury has been told the \"only fight\" left for him after his points decision defeat in a world heavyweight boxing title bout with champion Oleksandr Usyk is an all-British clash against Anthony Joshua.
Sharks brace for Stormers
Sharks head coach John Plumtree (above) said the Stormers will target the same three areas the Bulls did in their United Rugby Championship (URC) game at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Jacobs gets Black Caps call-up
Hard-hitting New Zealand batsman Bevon Jacobs earned a maiden call-up yesterday for their T20 series against Sri Lanka, which marks the start of Mitchell Santner's tenure as white-ball captain.
Coach change was a subtle one
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Amorim: Utd we 'nervous'
Manchester - Manchester United crashed to a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday as Ruben Amorim (above) admitted his \"nervous\" team would have to \"suffer\" before they can get back on track.
Enzo happy despite losing ground
Liverpool manager Enzo Maresca insisted he was \"absolutely happy\" despite his side losing ground in the Premier League title race following a goalless draw away to Everton on Sunday.
Liverpool need to keep pushing
SLOT: TABLE-TOPPING REDS MUST KEEP FOOT ON THE GAS
