As the new school term approaches, the City of Cape Town is urging parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated against diphtheria, as the number of confirmed cases has been on the rise. The Western Cape Health and Wellness Department reported that by January 6, 2025, there had been 33 confirmed cases of the bacterial infection, with the majority located in the Cape Metro and West Coast regions. Diphtheria, which is a serious but preventable disease, has raised alarm among health authorities, especially after a tragic death in December. An elderly woman in the Riemvasmaak informal settlement succumbed to the disease, underscoring the urgency of addressing this outbreak.
Byron La Hoe, a spokesperson for the department, provided details on the spread of the disease, noting that since January 2024, the province has documented 33 confirmed cases, including 12 reported since November 2024. Of the confirmed cases, 24 have been adults over the age of 20. The Department of Health has responded quickly to each case by initiating public health measures such as swabbing close contacts, isolating at-risk individuals, providing prophylaxis, and offering vaccinations to those exposed.
In light of the recent outbreak, Councillor Patricia van der Ross, Mayco member for Community Services and Health, has emphasized the importance of vaccination, particularly as schools and educare centres prepare to reopen. The City of Cape Town has been proactive in ramping up vaccination efforts, having already surpassed the national target for childhood immunisation rates. With 90% of children under one year of age vaccinated, the city has exceeded the national target of 85%, but the increasing diphtheria cases serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing need to prioritize immunizations.
Van der Ross urged all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children’s vaccinations are up to date before the new school term begins. βThe rise in diphtheria cases highlights the importance of timely vaccinations. We must continue our efforts to protect children from preventable diseases,β she said. She expressed her satisfaction with the cityβs immunization coverage but stressed the importance of improving these rates to protect vulnerable members of the community.
The cityβs health officials have also conducted outreach initiatives in recent days to further increase vaccination rates. These outreach programs aim to ensure that every child receives the necessary immunizations to protect them from diseases like diphtheria, measles, and polio. Van der Ross emphasized that vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of these potentially deadly diseases, and urged parents to visit their nearest City Health clinic if their child has missed any vaccinations.
With the upcoming school term bringing children back into close contact with one another, the importance of maintaining vaccination schedules cannot be overstated. Children are more likely to be exposed to contagious diseases in schools and crΓ¨ches, making it critical for parents to keep their children’s immunization records up to date. For those who may have missed doses, the city encourages parents to bring their children to a City Health clinic or take advantage of the wellness pop-up sites and open days, which offer convenient opportunities for catch-up vaccinations.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the symptoms of diphtheria typically manifest between two to five days after exposure to the bacteria. Initial signs include a sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, and general weakness. Within a few days, the infection can lead to the formation of a thick, grey coating in the respiratory tract, which can obstruct the nose, tonsils, and throat, making it difficult for the affected person to breathe or swallow.
As the city works to curb the spread of diphtheria, it is crucial that parents take swift action to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated. Health officials have made it clear that the best defense against diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases is through immunization, and the City of Cape Town continues to make it easier for parents to access these vital health services.