By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Gauteng Department of Education has retracted its statement confirming the first case of Mpox at Iketleng Primary School in Hammanskraal .
Earlier, the department said a Grade 1 girl pupil from the was diagnosed with Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) on Monday.
Her parents told the school on Tuesday that the pupil was taken to the hospital after displaying symptoms of the disease.
Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona says the initial statement was based on official correspondence received from the school.
“However, it appears that we may have acted prematurely in confirming the case without awaiting the final verification from the NICD. “We are now awaiting the official verification from the NICD and will defer to the Department of Health for any further announcements on this matter.”
Mabona says the department will continue to work with health authorities to provide accurate information and appropriate guidance.
This takes the total number of reported Mpox cases since the outbreak started in May back to 22. The number of deaths still remains at three.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale has called on people with Mpox symptoms to isolate and avoid gatherings until their laboratory test results are available.
“The department would like to urge people who experience suspected Mpox symptoms, with or without international travel history, to present themselves to a health facility for clinical observation.
“All suspected Mpox cases are treated with confidentiality during contact tracing and case investigation. However, the department will always strike a balance between privacy of individuals and letting them know they may be at risk of infection for the benefit of public health.”