Mpox treatment now available in Gauteng hospitals
Nationwide, there are 13 confirmed cases of the disease, including one in Tshwane.
The National Health Department (NDoH) recently announced that Mpox-specific treatment in the form of Tecovirimat (also known as TPOXX or ST-246) is now available.
The department made the announcement in light of the 13 confirmed cases nationwide, including five in Gauteng (three in Johannesburg, one in Ekhuruleni, and one in Tshwane), KwaZulu-Natal with seven and Western Cape with one.
The TPOXX treatment is for those experiencing severe health complications as a result of contracting Mpox disease, previously known as Monkeypox.
Spokesperson for the NDoH, Foster Mohale, urged individuals, regardless of gender, age, or sexual orientation, with suspected Mpox symptoms or who have had physical contact with known cases to present themselves at the healthcare facility for clinical evaluation, because anyone can contract this preventable and treatable disease.
“Hand hygiene is one of the effective ways to protect people from getting sick and prevent transmission of the diseases, hence people are reminded to always wash hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom. The process to secure more treatment including vaccines is underway in case the need arises,” Mohale said.
Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the mpox virus.
It can be transmitted to a person upon physical contact with the virus from an animal, human, or materials contaminated with the virus.
It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and a fever. Although most people fully recover, some get very sick and it can lead to fatalities if not treated.
“While Tecovirimat is used for those with severe health complications, those with mild cases will continue to be managed with supportive treatment used to manage complications like fever, pneumonia and skin infections. It is also important to note that most people recover in a few weeks after being infected, and after diagnosis, individuals should isolate and avoid close contact with others for at least 21 days or until full recovery,” Mohale said.
He added all mild cases however will continue to be managed with the supportive treatment used to manage complications like fever, pneumonia and skin infections.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said anyone can get Mpox. It spreads from contact with infected:
-persons, through touch, kissing, or sex
-animals when hunting, skinning, or cooking them
-materials, such as contaminated sheets, clothes or needles
-pregnant persons who may pass the virus on to their unborn baby.
Symptoms:
Mpox symptoms usually show within a week but can start 1–21 days after exposure and last 2–4 weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system.
Common symptoms are rash, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
For some people, the first symptom of Mpox is a rash, while others may have different symptoms first.
The WHO said the rash begins as a flat sore, which develops into a blister which may be itchy or painful. As the rash heals, the lesions dry up, crust over and fall off.
Some people may have one or a few skin lesions, and others may have hundreds or more. These can appear anywhere on the body, such as palm, sole of the foot, face, mouth, throat, groin, genital area and anus.
Some people also have painful swelling of their rectum or pain and difficulty when peeing.
ALSO READ: The first batch of Mpox-specific medication received; cases now at 13
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