Mpumalanga health MEC calls for public calm as monkeypox cases rise in SA
The first case of Mpox in the country was reported on May 9, and since then, 16 more cases have been confirmed.
The Mpumalanga MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, has called for public calm following the recent confirmation of monkeypox (Mpox) in the country.
The national Department of Health has reported 16 confirmed cases and three deaths since Tuesday June 25. Eight cases have been recorded in KwaZulu-Natal, seven in Gauteng and one in the Western Cape.
The first case of Mpox was reported in South Africa on May 9, when a 35-year-old male living in Gauteng tested positive.
In the latest statement, the national department said it has received a batch of Mpox-specific treatments, such as Tecovirimat – also known as TPOXX or ST-246 – for patients who experience severe health complications due to the disease.
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“The process to secure more treatments, including vaccines, is under way in case the need arises. However, all mild cases will continue to be managed with supportive treatment used to manage complications like fever, pneumonia and skin infections,” the department said.
Even though Manzini said there was no need for Mpumalanga’s residents to panic, she cautioned that there is a need to take extra care to prevent this disease from spreading to the province. “Yes, there are no cases of Mpox in the province, and while this is a relief, we would like to urge everyone regardless of gender, age or sexual orientation with suspected Mpox symptoms or who had physical contact with known cases, to present themselves to a healthcare facility, because anyone can contract this preventable and treatable disease,” appealed Manzini.
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She stressed that hand hygiene is one effective way to protect people from getting sick and to prevent transmission of diseases.
Some of the common symptoms of Mpox include a rash, which may last for two to four weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, decreased energy and swollen glands.
