Gauteng, Western Cape identified as provinces with most rubella cases

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng and Western Cape have been identified as the provinces with the most cases of rubella.  

More than 10,000 positive cases have been identified in the country between January and November.  

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed on Thursday that the country is dealing with an outbreak of rubella.  

Symptoms of the viral infection include fever, rash, runny nose, red eyes, and cough.  

The Department of Health said although rubella was highly contagious, it was a vaccine-preventable disease.  

"The disease spreads from person to person through droplets coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person. Children and pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe health complications of rubella,” said spokesperson Foster Mohale.