By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Health is calling on South Africans to be vigilant as another laboratory-confirmed mpox case has been recorded in South Africa, bringing the total number of cases to 25.
The patient is a 38-year-old man from Cape Town – who experienced typical mpox symptoms, including headache, mpox lesions on the face, sore throat, muscle pain and light sensitivity.
The results came back positive on Friday, 6 September. According to an investigation report, the patient has no recent international travel history nor contact with a suspected or confirmed mpox case,” the department said in a statement on Monday.
As a result, the Western Cape outbreak response team has been activated, and contact tracing and monitoring activities are ongoing.
The department said the patient is at home isolating and he is in stable condition.
Twelve of these cases were reported in Gauteng, 11 reported in KwaZulu-Natal, and now two in the Western Cape.
The health department added, “We urge all the identified and suspected contacts to cooperate with health officials during contact tracing for screening and possible diagnosis to prevent further transmission of this preventable and treatable disease.”
The healthcare workers understand the importance of confidentiality in managing reported and suspected cases of notifiable medical conditions.”
Meanwhile the Africa CDC and WHO launched a joint continental response plan for Africa to support countries’ efforts to curb the spread of the virus and save and protect lives.
The Mpox Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan includes measures to strengthen surveillance, laboratory detection, case management, infection prevention and control (IPC), vaccination, risk communication and community engagement (RCCE), and research and innovation.
“This is an important milestone for a coordinated action between our agencies to support countries by reinforcing expertise and mobilising resources and capacities to swiftly and effectively halt the spread of mpox,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
“By coming together, we can achieve more, and our collective strength will carry us further, ensuring that communities and individuals are protected from the threat of this virus.”
The common symptoms include a rash that may last for two to four weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen glands (lymph nodes). The painful rash looks like blisters or sores and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and the groin.