Health Tips
Measles - are you safe?
The recent measles outbreak in the Western Cape is in a serious state, with 422 confirmed cases and seven deaths. Although measles is a highly contagious viral infection, it can however be cured.
Metropolitan Health Group has experienced a 195% increase in treatment costs associated with measles in the Western Cape, across the schemes that it administers. The number of cases has increased by 190% this year, compared to the same period last year. Areas such as Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Gugulethu, Athlone and the Cape Winelands have been experiencing higher infection rates, which could potentially be attributed to overcrowding. "Children are most prone to infection, especially those at schools where classrooms sizes are bigger, so it is essential that parents help to prevent the disease from spreading by keeping sick children at home and scheduling a visits with their family doctor," says Dr Ali Hamdulay: Disease Risk Programme Manager at Qualsa, the Managed Healthcare subsidiary of Metropolitan Health Group.
Look out for the beginning symptoms of the disease that include a high fever, red watery eyes, runny nose and cough which spreads to a red diffuse rash starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Measles is treated symptomatically and although possible, complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and other bacterial infections are rare in the otherwise healthy child.
Children who are younger than 12 months, malnourished or immuno-compromised are most at risk of suffering complications. People living with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases such as Cancer should take special precautions and continue with regular prescribed medication.
Government has started accelerating the National Immunisation Programme, which will ensure that more children are vaccinated at the right age, one of the best ways to prevent outbreaks. Furthermore, to help contain the current outbreak, the MEC for Health in the Western Cape, Mr. Theuns Botha, has announced the availability of 35000 vaccines in clinics across the province.
If you've already had measles, but your body didn't work up enough antibodies with the first infection and resistance is not strong, there is a possibility that you may be re-infected. "Your best defence is a strong immune system. Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables especially those high in Vitamin A as well as consume high energy foods that will build up your immune system to better fight off the disease," says Hamdulay.
As with any outbreak, practice the following precautions: encourage children to wash their hands regularly; keep sick children at home; keep a hand in front of your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing and see your doctor immediately if symptoms worsen.
Ends
About Qualsa
Qualsa is the wholly owned subsidiary of Metropolitan Health Group (MHG), and provides custom-made, integrated health risk management services to a range of employer groups, medical schemes and service providers throughout South Africa. Qualsa has built considerable capacity in the provision of wellness, HIV and AIDS, disease, medicine, hospital and clinical risk management services. These solutions are rendered through the use of rules-based and clinical management-based programmes, utilising documented clinical review criteria that are based on internationally accepted evidence-based medicine.
About Metropolitan Health Group
Metropolitan Health Group provides world-class medical scheme administration and cost-effective managed care and workplace wellness solutions for over 2 million lives on 17 medical schemes in South Africa. Their clients include employer groups and medical schemes in the public enterprise, government and private sector. This includes the four largest restricted medical schemes in South Africa - Bankmed, GEMS, POLMED and Transmed.
Submitted by: Tiana Lambert
Junior Account Manager
Redline - a division of DRAFT FCB
Tel: (021) 680-7779 / 084 2003 991
On behalf of: Dr Ali Hamdulay
Disease Risk Programme Manager
Metropolitan Health Group and Qualsa
