From week 1 to week 32 of 2025, national measles surveillance has detected an increase in the measles cases. As of 08 August 2025, a total of 620 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported, 429 cases in Gauteng province, 98 in the Free State province, and 24 in Mpumalanga province. Whereas, the other measles cases were reported in the remaining provinces, except the Eastern Cape province, which reported zero laboratory-confirmed measles cases. Since our last update in epidemiological week 31, new cases recorded were 13 in Gauteng, 1 in Free State, and 2 in Mpumalanga Province. The reported measles infections were mainly in children aged 1-14 years, which was similar across the provinces.
Update on the measles outbreak in South Africa
Gauteng province measles outbreak update
Gauteng province continues to report a high number, with 429 laboratory-confirmed cases reported from epi-week 1 to 32 of 2025. The majority of the laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in the metropolitan areas with the distribution of cases as follows: City of Johannesburg (121), City of Tshwane (208), Ekurhuleni (87), Sedibeng (10), and West Rand (3).
Free State province measles outbreak update
Free State province continues to report laboratory-confirmed measles cases, with 98 cases from epi-week 1 to 32 of 2025. The majority of the laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in the Lejweleputswa district, which reported 102 cases, and 1 case was reported from epidemiological weeks 31 to 32.
Mpumalanga province measles update
There are 24 laboratory confirmed measles cases that have been reported in Mpumalanga province from epidemiological week 1 to week 32, with an increase in laboratory confirmed cases detected in the Gert Sibande and Nkangala districts from epidemiological week 24 to week 32.
Recommendations
Measles awareness should be done in endemic areas and areas with localised outbreaks to alert the communities about the ongoing measles outbreak, and parents should be encouraged to vaccinate their children to protect them against measles infections. Measles infections can lead to complications such as pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhoea, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and death. Parents whose children have missed their scheduled routine measles immunisation vaccine doses are encouraged to take their children for a measles vaccination catch-up dose.
Clinicians should report the suspected measles cases and collect blood specimens for laboratory confirmation, and also report patients who develop measles signs and symptoms using the NMC surveillance system.These include strengthening routine immunisation services and launching a mass vaccination campaign targeting children up to 15 years of age. High-incidence districts such as Tshwane and Johannesburg should be prioritised. Public awareness efforts must be intensified to address vaccine hesitancy and improve case reporting. Continued environmental surveillance through wastewater testing should be maintained to monitor trends and guide response activities.
Relevant resources, including the case definition, investigation form, and surveillance results, are available on the NICD measles page and the measles-rubella dashboard.
