Health Dept confirms second Mpox death

Health Dept confirms second Mpox death

The Department of Health has confirmed the death of a KwaZulu-Natal man who tested positive for Mpox. 

Disease like Monkeypox will become a pandemic if it's not stopped or reported.
Disease like Monkeypox will become a pandemic if it's not stopped or reported. Image: Unsplash

The confirmation of the death comes less than 24 hours after Health Minister Joe Phaahla announced the first death in Gauteng on Wednesday.


In KwaZulu-Natal, the 38-year-old patient tested positive for Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) on Wednesday and was admitted to a local hospital in uMgungundlovu, where he succumbed to the disease on the same day.


National Health spokesperson Foster Mohale says the number of confirmed cases in the country stands at six, including the two fatalities recorded within a period of five weeks.


"Mpox is a preventable and treatable disease if diagnosed early, hence we say early diagnosis saves lives. People are urged to avoid physical contact with someone who tested postive for Mpox, practice hand hygiene.


"Diagnosed cases or patients, where possible should avoid contact with immunocompromised people, children, pregnant women who might be at a higher risk of severe symptoms if exposed to the disease."


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