Mpox confirmed case in Mams

The Department of Health has confirmed a positive case of mpox (formerly known as monkey pox) in Pretoria.

The confirmed Pretoria case is of a 29-year-old man diagnosed in a Mamelodi health facility, Pretoria on June 21.
A 43-year-old man was diagnosed on June 22, at a private health facility in Johannesburg.

Health department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the patients who presented with symptoms indicative of disease had no international travel history.

“The latest cases/patients include a 40-year-old man from Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal who presented with mpox-like symptoms, including a rash all over his body, and never presented in hospital,” said Mohale.

He died at home, and the results came back positive for mpox on June 23.

Mohale said this brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox in South Africa to 16 since the outbreak of the disease in May – eight in KwaZulu-Natal, seven in Gauteng, and one in the Western Cape.

All patients are male aged between 23 and 43 years old.

The number of mpox-related deaths has also increased to three.

He further said the department, working with provinces and other stakeholders in the sector, has embarked on health education with funeral parlours on how to handle the human remains of the deceased due to suspected and confirmed mpox.

“The department would like to allay fears of possible travel restrictions or lockdowns due to the mumps outbreak because the World Health Organization has not recommended any,” he said.

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.

Mohale urged individuals, regardless of gender, age, or sexual orientation, with suspected Mpox symptoms or who have had physical contact with an infected party, to go to a healthcare facility for clinical evaluation.
Anyone can contract mpox regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, or race.

Mpox is preventable and manageable, and treatment for both mild and severe cases is available.

People at high risk include those living with chronic conditions such as HIV, TB, and diabetes.

“Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to protect people from getting sick and prevent transmission of diseases. Hence, people are reminded to always wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, especially before eating or touching their face and after using 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 contaminated material.

It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and a fever. Though most people fully recover, some get very sick, and it can lead to fatalities if not treated.

The WHO said anyone can get Mpox. It spreads through contact with infected persons, animals,
materials and during childbirth.

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 present different symptoms first.

The WHO said the rash begins as a flat sore, which develops into a blister that may be itchy or painful.

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 the palm, sole, face, mouth, throat, groin, genital area, and anus.

Some people also report painful swelling of their rectum or pain and difficulty voiding their bladder.

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