Despite heightened public awareness and intensive contact tracing efforts to control the spread of the Monkeypox disease, or Mpox, as it is known for short, South Africa has reported two additional laboratory-confirmed cases this week.
This brings the total number of infections to 22 since the first case was reported in May this year, while the death toll remains at three.
According to the Department of Health, available scientific data suggests that the disease is transmitted from person to person within the borders of the country.
Call for vigilance
“The department calls for the public to maintain vigilance and never lower their guard against Mpox disease. As the country remains on high alert for a possible surge,” the statement read.
The latest case involves a 40-year-old man who was diagnosed at a private health facility in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on July 6 2024.
“The patient is from Johannesburg, Gauteng. He travelled to Durban over the past weekend, where an Mpox-like rash developed,” the department explained.
The other case involved a 26-year-old man from Nquthu in KwaZulu-Natal. He presented with an Mpox-like rash at a local hospital.
“Both new cases self-identified as MSM [men who have sex with men]. They had no international, but local travel history.”
Latest patients had no travel history
The department is urging people who experience any of the Mpox symptoms to present themselves to a health facility. Whether with or without an international travel history. They must present themselves is for clinical observation. And they are urged to confine themselves to one place until their test results are available.
Some of 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.
Meanwhile, contact tracing and monitorings are ongoing in both provinces. Especially amongst the close contacts of the patients, said the department.
“We urge all the identified and suspected contacts to cooperate with health officials during contact tracing. This is for screening and possible diagnosis, to prevent further transmission of this preventable and treatable disease.”
- SAnews.gov.za
