SO far, the figures are relatively small, but the signs are there that measles, once considered a "normal" childhood illness, is on the march again.
Ayo Olowolagba, head of infectious diseases control for KZN, said there was a need for "extra vigilance" and that parents, guardians, caregivers and schools should report all people with symptoms of measles to the nearest health facility.
"We are particularly concerned about malnourished children and people with reduced immunity, because measles can cause serious complications, including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection and pneumonia," he said.
Olowolagba said there were 23 suspected cases of measles in eThekwini, and 181 in the province.
"The only confirmed case of infection to date is that of a pupil at Hilton College outside Pietermaritzburg."
Gauteng has been the hardest hit with 422 out of the 468 cases reported nationally.
Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads through droplets of saliva and secretions from the nose. The incubation period is usually 10 to 14 days. Worldwide outbreaks occur in winter and spring.
Initial symptoms, which usually appear eight to 12 days after infection, include high fever, runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth. Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading down.
There is no specific treatment for measles and most people recover within three weeks.
A month-long campaign to halt the spread of measles and polio is under way in Gauteng.
663 deaths worldwide every day
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that in 2006 there were 242 000 measles deaths worldwide - that equals about 663 deaths every day or 27 deaths every hour.
Infected people are usually contagious from about four days before their rash starts to four days afterwards.
The measles virus resides in the mucus in the nose and throat of infected people. When they sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air and the droplets remain active and contagious on infected surfaces for up to two hours.
HOW IT IS SPREAD
Measles spreads easily via coughing or sneezing. Its symptoms include a runny nose, red infected eyes, fever and a distinctive rash.
Complications include encephalitis, brain damage, pneumonia, blindness, ear infections and deafness. The disease can be fatal.
SYMPTOMS
Koplik's spots - red spots with blue-white centres that appear in the mouth - are a marker for the disease. Its rash is usually red or reddish brown and blotchy. It starts on the forehead and spreads down over the face, neck and body to the arms and feet.
VACCINE
Measles can affect anyone, including adults, and the vaccine must be administered as soon as possible after exposure to be effective. About one out of every 10 children does not respond to the first dose of vaccine. But after the second, 99 percent are protected against measles.
HOW SERIOUS IS IT?
Measles is unpleasant, but the complications are dangerous. Six to 20 percent of people who get the disease will get an ear infection, diarrhoea or even pneumonia. One out of 1 000 people with measles will develop inflammation of the brain, and about one out of 1 000 will die.