SA measles cases hit 3,462 as unvaccinated infants triple
The Health Department has warned of a growing public health crisis after measles cases reached 3,462 amid declining childhood immunisation rates across South Africa.
South Africa has reported a significant increase in measles cases, with 3,462 laboratory-confirmed cases since January 2026, according to a media statement from the Department of Health. Outbreaks have been reported in several provinces, including the Western Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Northern Cape, with the majority of cases (70.9%) in children aged 1-14 years.
This surge is primarily attributed to a sharp decline in vaccination rates, with the proportion of unvaccinated infants increasing from 12.1% in 2017 to 36.3% between January and April 2026. The department has called for urgent action to halt this decline in immunisation coverage and prevent further outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
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