Four additional Mpox cases have been reported in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, with infections expected to rise as contact tracing efforts are stepped up. This brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox in South Africa to 20 since the outbreak in May 2024.
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PICTURE: NICDAccording to the Health Department’s data, all cases involve males aged between 17 to 43 years old.
The recent infections include a 17-year-old man from Hillbrow,
Johannesburg; a 37-year-old from Pretoria East; a 29-year-old from West Rand;
and a 19-year-old from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.
Of the 20 cases, 10 were recorded in Gauteng, nine cases in
KwaZulu-Natal and one from the Western Cape.
Meanwhile, the death toll has remained at three since the
outbreak.
The department said outbreak response teams have been
activated for the newly diagnosed cases.
“Another batch of Mpox-specific treatment is expected to
arrive in the country in the next few weeks as the number of cases is also
expected to rise due to intensified contact tracing, risk communication and
community engagement activities in the affected communities,” said Foster
Mohale, Health Department spokesperson.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said
it has received over 130 test requests since the outbreak of Mpox in South
Africa.
“The department appeals to all contacts of confirmed cases
and suspected cases to cooperate with health workers during contact tracing,
screening and 21-day monitoring period, to ensure no case is left undetected.”
Done By: Stephanie van Rayen
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