The NICD has tested 6422 serum samples for measles since epidemiological week 40, 2022, of which 1091 (17%) were confirmed positive. In the past week (week 24 up until week 25, 26/06/2023) there have been 11 laboratory-confirmed measles cases detected across the country, of which the majority were from Limpopo (9).
The percentage of samples testing positive (PTP) decreased from 19% (9/47) of samples tested in week 24 to 17% (2/12) of samples tested in week 25.
In week 24 (week ending 19/06/2023), Limpopo province reported a total of 7 new measles cases, while sporadic cases were reported in KwaZulu-Natal (1) and Mpumalanga (1).
Measles-confirmed cases have not been detected for more than two incubation periods (42 days) in the Northern Cape and North West provinces. This means the outbreak may be declared over in these provinces. The outbreak in the Free State and the Western Cape provinces is likely to meet these criteria within the next week or two. Unfortunately, the outbreak cannot however be declared over in Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga because of ongoing sporadic cases.
