School closed due to suspected measles outbreak

DUE TO a suspected measles outbreak at Delportshoop Combined School, the school governing body (SGB) has decided to close the school for several days to help manage and contain the situation.

The decision comes after frustrated parents urged the school to take action, as the local clinic had apparently run out of options to address the growing health crisis.

Since last week, an increasing number of learners have been referred to the clinic with symptoms such as red and itchy rashes, red eyes, blisters, fever, and in some cases, nosebleeds.

Parents complained that affected learners were only receiving five Allergex tablets each at the clinic to address their condition.

According to an SGB member, the number of suspected measles cases in the town has surged from 10 to over 130 in just two weeks, affecting learners from Grade R to Grade 12.

Despite the escalating situation, parents have complained that the Northern Cape departments of Education and Health have remained silent, leaving the school to handle the matter.

According to the SGB member, the school informed the Department of Education about the situation but was advised to handle it at its discretion.

The initial cases were reportedly detected on Monday, August 5, when learners with itchy rashes on their faces and bodies were referred to the clinic. Most were apparently diagnosed with measles, though the nature of some cases remains unclear. The number of affected learners increased the following day, leading to samples being sent to Johannesburg for testing.

The SGB member said that the outbreak began with Grade 4 and 5 learners and it has since spread to four schools in the area, including Delportshoop Combined School, likely through family connections.

Delportshoop Combined School is currently the hardest hit of the local schools.

A parent noted that the spread at Delportshoop Combined School is exacerbated by the fact that many learners come from surrounding farms and reside in the school hostel.

"We are still waiting for the results [from the samples sent to Johannesburg for testing] as the Department of Health remains silent. Last Friday, our numbers were at 101, and by Tuesday, they had increased to more than 130 cases,” the parent said.

The SGB member said that the Department of Education has been informed about the situation and is also awaiting the test results. The circuit manager at the district department reportedly visited the school to assess the situation.

According to the SGB, a nurse from the clinic went to the school on Tuesday, April 20 and advised that learners should be sent home rather than to the clinic, as this could help prevent further spread of the illness.

“Now we don’t know what to do because we don’t know what we are dealing with. We don’t even know how to treat our children because the Department of Health has gone quiet on us,” said the concerned SGB member. “Is Health waiting for fatalities before taking action?”

The SGB has permitted parents to use their discretion in keeping sick children at home, especially if they have siblings in the household.

Concerns are growing that all four schools in the area may need to close due to the outbreak.

“It is worrying that Grade 12 learners are in the middle of exams, and some households have chronic patients to consider. Teachers also have their families to think about. We just hope that health authorities prioritise those test results.”

According to the SGB member, the school received an update from the Department of Health stating that nothing can be done at this stage until the test results return from Johannesburg.

“So, the way forward is for us to close the school from tomorrow (Wednesday) because the official who visited today (Tuesday) could not provide any assistance, as he also does not know what we are dealing with.

“The school will remain closed until the matter is resolved and a way forward is determined. We will only allow Grade 12 learners to attend school, and we have informed the Department of Education about our decision.”

The Northern Cape departments of Education and Health had not responded to media enquiries by the time of publication.