Measles Awareness Session Held at Rosemore Crèche in George to Promote Prevention Measures

18 February 2023

A measles awareness session was held recently at Rosemore Crèche in George, where Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from the Garden Route District Municipality’s Community Services Department educated approximately 50 children and staff members on the importance of preventing the spread of this highly contagious viral infection.

Measles, which can have serious consequences for young children, typically exhibit symptoms 10 to 14 days after exposure. Those infected by it usually has a cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever, and a red, blotchy skin rash. The session covered the transmission of measles, prevention measures, and the significance of consistent handwashing.

Measles spreads easily through the air via respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, as well as through saliva, skin-to-skin contact, touching contaminated surfaces, and from mother to baby during pregnancy, labour, or nursing.

Education was led by Ivy Mamegwa, an EHP from the Wilderness region, one of the eight areas served by the GRDM. The goal of the session was to increase community awareness of measles and to promote personal hygiene practices to prevent its spread.

To prevent the spread of measles, it’s important to ensure proper ventilation and practice proper handwashing. The best defence, however, is to get vaccinated. Pamphlets were provided to the children and staff members to take home and share with others, including their parents, to further increase awareness and promote prevention measures.

Advice from EHP is to practice good hand hygiene. It continues to be one of the main strategies for stopping the transmission of pathogens.

ENDS