On Tuesday, 25 June 2024, the Department of Health announced that South Africa has identified three additional cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) and reported one new death related to the disease.
According to the Department of Health, the latest cases include a 40-year-old male from Ladysmith who exhibited mpox-like symptoms, such as a widespread rash. Unfortunately, he did not seek hospital care.
“He passed on at home and the results came back positive for mpox on the 23rd June 2024,” noted the Department of Health.
In addition to this, two cases were identified in Gauteng. A 43-year-old man was diagnosed on 22 June 2024 at a private health facility in Johannesburg, and a 29-year-old male was diagnosed at a Mamelodi health facility on 21 June 2024. Both individuals presented with symptoms indicative of mpox and had no history of international travel.
These new cases bring the total number of laboratory-confirmed mpox cases in South Africa to 16 since the outbreak began in May 2024.
Moreover, the distribution of cases is as follows: Eight from KwaZulu-Natal, seven from Gauteng, and one from the Western Cape. All confirmed cases involve males aged between 23 and 43 years old. The number of mpox-related deaths in the country has now risen to three.
In response to the outbreak, the Department of Health, in collaboration with provincial authorities and other stakeholders, has initiated health education programmes with funeral parlours on how to handle the remains of individuals who have died from suspected or confirmed mpox.
“The department would like to allay fears of possible travel restrictions or lockdowns due to the mpox outbreak because the World Health Organization has not recommended any travel restrictions. However, it is important for travellers from mpox-endemic countries to seek healthcare if they are ill and to alert health officials about their travel for clinical guidance,” the Department of Health explained.
Individuals, families, and communities are encouraged to support anyone displaying mpox-like symptoms to visit the nearest healthcare facilities for screening and diagnosis, rather than resorting to self-diagnosis and over-the-counter medication.
Lastly, the Department emphasised that anyone can contract mpox, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, or race. It is important to note that mpox is preventable and manageable, with treatment available for both mild and severe cases. Those at higher risk include individuals with chronic conditions such as HIV, TB, and diabetes.
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