By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Health has confirmed that the number of confirmed deaths from the Mpox disease, formerly known as monkeypox, has risen to two.
The confirmation of the death comes less than 24 hours after Health Minister Joe Phaahla announced the first death in Gauteng on Wednesday.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the 38-year-old patient tested positive for Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) on Wednesday and was admitted to a local hospital in uMgungundlovu, where he succumbed to the disease on the same day.
National Health spokesperson Foster Mohale says the number of confirmed cases in the country stands at six, including the two fatalities recorded within a period of five weeks.
“Mpox is a preventable and treatable disease if diagnosed early, hence we say early diagnosis saves lives. People are urged to avoid physical contact with someone who tested postive for Mpox, practice hand hygiene.
“Diagnosed cases or patients, where possible should avoid contact with immunocompromised people, children, pregnant women who might be at a higher risk of severe symptoms if exposed to the disease.”
Mpox spreads through close physical contact. Most cases are mild but it can kill.
Initial symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain, aching muscles, which can develop into a rash.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency over an outbreak of mpox in 2022. Although this was ended last year, low levels of cases are still being reported in some countries.
The first human case was reported in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, and the disease remains endemic there, according to the WHO.