Health Dept confirms two more cases of Mpox
The Department of Health has confirmed two more cases of Mpox, bringing the total positive cases to 24 since the start of the outbreaking South Africa in May this year.
The total number of deaths remains at three.
National Health spokesperson, Foster Mohale, says the two newest cases were recorded in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
"Case 23 is a 36-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal who was admitted at local public health facility in Durban late in July after he experienced Mpox-like rash and along with fatigue, muscle pain and rigor. The patient has no international travel history.
"Case 24 is a 20-year-old man from Gauteng who was seen at a private health facility in Johannesburg on Friday, 2 August. The case presented with typical Mpox lesions. He confirmed that he has international travel history to Peru in South America. It is uncertain if exposure occurred in Peru or South Africa."
Mohale adds that the recent cases come 26 days since the last cases of Mpox were reported in the country.
"According to the World Health Organization multi-country Mpox outbreak, Peru is amongst countries with high numbers of positive cases in the region of the Americas.
"Contact tracing and monitoring activities are ongoing in the affected communities in both provinces, and the Department urges all the identified contacts to cooperate with health officials during contact tracing for screening and possible diagnosis to prevent further transmission of this preventable and treatable disease."
He adds out of the 22 cases recorded between 8 May and 6 July, 19 have fully recovered.
"All people with suspected symptoms are reminded to visit the nearest healthcare facility right away for clinical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment options, instead of self-diagnosing and isolation.
"Meanwhile, the Department would like to confirm the arrival of another batch of Tecovirimat, also known as TPOXX donated by the World Health Organization as part of ongoing support to the country`s response efforts to this preventable and manageable disease."
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