By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Ministry of Health has assured the public that the country is well-prepared to address any potential cases of Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox.
Principal Secretary (PS) Khanyakwezwe Mabuza released a statement detailing the nation’s proactive measures and status concerning the viral disease.
Following the announcement of Mpox cases in neighbouring South Africa, the Kingdom of Eswatini has remained vigilant.
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PS Mabuza emphasized that no suspected or confirmed Mpox cases have been reported within Eswatini by the Public Health Emergency Management Committee (PHEM), which continues to meet weekly to review disease notifications from healthcare workers via the Immediate Disease Notification System (IDNS).
“The Kingdom of Eswatini remains vigilant against Mpox, and an Mpox assessment has been conducted. The Ministry has also finalised the Mpox preparedness and readiness plan,” Mabuza stated.
The Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) has heightened its status from watch mode to alert mode,
enabling more intense monitoring and reporting by health teams. Screening for Mpox and other health conditions is ongoing at designated Points of Entry, ensuring that potential cases are identified early.
Rapid Response Teams are on high alert, ready to conduct contact tracing should a suspected or confirmed case be reported.
Additionally, the Risk Communication and Community Engagement Teams are actively working to inform and educate the public about Mpox.
Mabuza noted that Mpox is a notifiable medical condition in Eswatini, meaning healthcare workers must report all suspected and confirmed cases.
This classification highlights the public health importance of the disease, as it poses significant risks that could lead to outbreaks or epidemics with high fatality rates.
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Despite a global outbreak of Mpox that has been ongoing since 2022, Eswatini has not confirmed any positive cases.
The disease, caused by the Mpox virus, is transmitted from animals to humans and typically presents with symptoms such as an unexplained acute rash, fever over 38 degrees Celsius, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and body pain, and severe general weakness.
Mabuza urged the public to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any symptoms of Mpox.
“Members of the public who experience symptoms of Mpox disease should immediately visit their nearest health facility or healthcare provider for screening and testing to ensure early diagnosis to curb further transmission and facilitate effective treatment,” he advised.
