Measles outbreak in NC, four schools close as precaution

At least four schools around Delportshoop in the Northern Cape have been closed due to a measles outbreak at the Delportshoop Combined School.

Some 130 pupils have been affected by the outbreak.

The pupils are mainly in Grade 4 and Grade 6.

The Provincial Education Department says the schools will be closed until Friday as a precautionary measure.

Department spokesperson Geoffrey Van Der Merwe says they are urging parents to monitor their children and keep them at home.

“The Department of Education is engaging the Department of Health to contain the outbreak of measles in Delportshoop as it may affect the other schools in town. Only Grade 12 learners will return to school to write their preparatory examinations and the rest of the learners will return on Monday, 26 August. All four schools will be disinfected and learners are encouraged to wear masks and vaccination against measles will be done on Monday. We further appeal to parents to monitor their children closely and keep them at home or in isolation to curb the spread of measles in the community.”