By Bahle Gama
As the South African Ministry of Health continues to have laboratory-confirmed cases of Monkeypox (Mpox), a second death has been reported linked to the disease.
This was less than 24 hours from Minister Joseph Phahlaa’s update on the government’s efforts to curb the spread of this infectious disease.
Sequencing results for the first three cases sequence typed as clade ll b, the same as the sub-lineage responsible for the multi-country outbreak which began in 2022 and has since spread to over 100 countries.
Mpox virus is transmitted from one person to another through close contact with sores, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding.
The incubation period after infection with Mpox virus ranges from six to 13 days but can take up to 21 days.
A suspected case is a person of any age presenting in a Mpox non-endemic country with an unexplained sudden onset of a rash on the body.
In addition to the rash, other signs and symptoms may occur including headache, fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and body aches, back pain, and profound weakness.
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 13, 2024, the Minister disclosed that the last patient was a 38-year-old male who was admitted at a local hospital in uMgungundlovu, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), and tested positive for Mpox on Wednesday, June 12, 2024,
after presenting with extensive lesions, lymphadenopathy, headache, fatigue, oral ulcers, muscle pain, and sore throat.
“The patient has unfortunately died in KZN the same day his test results came back positive.
This brings the total number of positive cases in the country from five to six and two deaths within a period of five weeks,” said the Minister.
ALSO READ: Ministry of Health is reckless, embarrassing – MPs
The patient was living with HIV, and he listed his residential address as Brakpan, Gauteng.
Minister Phaahla said the Department is working closely with both Gauteng and KZN Departments of Health to investigate the case.
Further updates and reports will be provided once the investigation has been concluded.
Minister Phaahla reiterated the importance of personal hygiene, timely presenting at the health facility for early diagnosis and effective treatment in case of suspected symptoms, and close physical contact with a known case.
According to the Ministry, Mpox is a preventable and treatable disease if diagnosed early.
People are urged to avoid physical contact with someone who has Mpox, practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
Diagnosed cases/patients should where possible, avoid contact with immunocompromised people, children, or pregnant women who may be at higher risk of severe symptoms if exposed.
The Ministry of Health in Eswatini also issued a statement when the outbreak first hit South Africa, further noting the significant public health concern in the SADC region.
It was noted that the first case had no history of travel to countries experiencing Mpox outbreaks, which was highly suggestive of a local transmission.
ALSO READ: Health Ministry observes surge in Covid-19 cases
“In Eswatini, Monkeypox is a notifiable disease which is part of the 13 public health threats that are being monitored through the weekly surveillance system.
The National Public Health Emergency Management Core Team (PHEMCO) in Eswatini has not reported any confirmed case of Monkeypox since the outbreak was first declared in Africa, in 2022,” said Minister Mduduzi Matsebula.
He further stated that the country remains vigilant against Mpox and ensured that key interventions would be followed.
In relation to the second death reported by SA on Thursday, the Ministry said it maintained its statement on vigilance and monitoring through the weekly surveillance team.
