The Department of Health has announced that 15 people who had Mpox have received a clean bill of health. It said five remain hospitalised due to severe health complications.
The complications are compounded by either unmanaged or recently diagnosed underlying conditions such as HIV.
“Only one case was re-admitted for further medical attention,” the department said in a statement.
The department believes that the 15 cases are a testimony that the infectious disease is treatable if diagnosed early.
Seek immediate healthcare
“This is the reason people are urged to seek healthcare once they experience Mpox-like symptoms. Also when they come into direct contact with someone who tested positive.”
The department, working with various stakeholders, continues with efforts to curb the spread and transmission of Mpox in the country.
Meanwhile, the death toll has remained at three since the outbreak.
The common symptoms of Mpox include a rash which may last for two to four weeks. Also fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands.
“The rash looks like blisters or sores, and can affect the face. It can also affect palms of the hands, soles of the feet and so on,” the department explained.
On Thursday, the department announced four additional Mpox cases that were reported in the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces.
20 laboratory-confirmed cases
The additional cases have pushed the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox in South Africa to 20. This is since the disease outbreak in May 2024.
All the 20 cases involve men, with 10 recorded in Gauteng, nine in KwaZulu-Natal and one from Western Cape.
Four additional Mpox cases have been reported in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Infections are expected to rise as contact tracing efforts are stepped up.
This pushed the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox in South Africa to 20 since the outbreak in May.
According to the department’s data, all cases involve males aged between 17 to 43 years old.
Males aged between 17 to 43 years old
The recent infections include a 17-year-old man from Hillbrow in Johannesburg. A 37-year-old from Pretoria East. Also a 29-year-old from West Rand, and a 19-year-old from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.
Of the 20 cases, 10 were recorded in Gauteng, nine cases in KwaZulu-Natal and one from the Western Cape.
Meanwhile, the death toll has remained at three since the outbreak.
The department said outbreak response teams have been activated for the newly diagnosed cases.
“Another batch of Mpox-specific treatment is expected to arrive in the country in the next few weeks. This as the number of cases is also expected to rise due to intensified contact tracing. Also due to risk communication and community engagement activities in the affected communities.”
All contacts urged to cooperate with health workers
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has also been active in identifying the disease. It has received over 130 test requests since the outbreak of Mpox in South Africa.
“The department appeals to all contacts of confirmed cases and suspected cases to cooperate with health workers. This is done during contact tracing, screening and 21-day monitoring period. It aims to ensure that no case is left undetected.”
According to the department, contact tracing is one of the critical tools available. It is used to effectively break the chains of local transmission and control the Mpox outbreak.
“All people with suspected symptoms are reminded to visit their nearest healthcare facility right away. This for clinical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment options, instead of self-diagnosing and isolation.”
- SAnews.gov.za
