According to Professor Adrian Puren, executive director of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), condoms do not protect against mpox, which spreads by skin-to-skin contact.
This comes after Dr Joe Phaahla, Minister of Health, revealed seven confirmed cases and two deaths caused by the virus.
Mpox, formerly known as monkey pox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkey pox virus.
Virus requires close contact to spread
Professor Puren said the public needs to understand that though condoms provide protection against a range of sexually transmitted infections, it does not mean they will be safe from contracting mpox despite the use of condoms.
“For this virus to spread, it requires close contact with a person who has it, like sexual intercourse, and the majority of the cases that have been identified have been from men who self-identified as men who have sex with other men. It is important that we face this topic with sensitivity,” said Puren.
He added that the risk of transmitting the virus is fairly low compared to other diseases.
Lower transmission rate
“But it certainly can occur. The virus can exist outside of the body for a period of time, so it can be on clothes, bedding, or surfaces, and so by touching those particular surfaces and then touching either your eye, one can be infected as well,” he added.
The first death linked to mpox was recorded in Gauteng last week Monday, and the second one on Wednesday in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Department of Health said both the deceased were males, and contact tracing is still underway.
World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that they are working closely with the department to get the mpox vaccination available for those who are susceptible to the virus.
Symptoms of mpox include rash, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back discomfort, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
