The number of Mpox cases is expected to increase as the health department intensifies contact tracing

Concern Over Mpox Outbreak as Cases Expected to IncreaseConcern Over Mpox Outbreak as Cases Expected to Increase Four new cases of Mpox have been confirmed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, raising concerns about the spread of the virus. Recent Cases Include Teenagers and Men The affected individuals include two teenage boys and two men from the two provinces. The Ministry of Health has expressed concern that the number of cases is likely to increase in the coming weeks. Contact Tracing Efforts Underway Health authorities are conducting intensive contact tracing to identify and monitor individuals who may have come into contact with those infected with Mpox. The virus is transmitted through close physical contact. Treatment Availability The health service has indicated that Mpox is a treatable disease if detected early. A new batch of treatment known as Tecovirimat is expected in the country soon. Symptoms and Precautions People experiencing Mpox-like symptoms, such as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, are urged to seek medical attention immediately. Individuals who have had close contact with confirmed or suspected cases should cooperate with health workers for monitoring and testing. Case Breakdown As of the latest update, there have been 20 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox in South Africa, with three deaths. Fifteen of the cases have recovered, while five remain hospitalized with serious health conditions.

Department of Public Health spokesperson Foster Mohale has expressed concern over the Mpox outbreak, saying the number of cases is expected to increase in the coming weeks. (Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

• Four more cases of Mpox have been recorded in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
• The recent cases involve two teenage boys and two men from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
• Ministry of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said the number of cases is expected to increase in the coming weeks.

The health service has indicated that the number of Mpox cases is expected to increase as more intensive contact tracing is carried out for people who have been in contact with people who have tested positive for the virus.

This comes as the country records four additional cases of Mpox in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

Recent victims include a 17-year-old from Hillbrow in 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.

This brings the total number of cases to 20, with three deaths since the outbreak in May.

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According to Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, 15 of the 20 cases were cleared of illness, while five patients remained in hospital with serious health conditions, compounded by untreated or newly diagnosed underlying conditions such as HIV.

Only one in five cases involved readmission for further medical care.

“This proves that MPOX is a treatable disease if detected early and can be treated effectively. Therefore, people are urged to seek medical attention if they experience MPOX-like symptoms or come into direct contact with someone who has tested positive,” Mohale said.

“The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has received more than 130 requests for testing since the Mpox outbreak in South Africa.”

An overview of Mpox cases. (Provided by/Ministry of Health)

An overview of Mpox cases. (Provided by/Ministry of Health)

He said that source and contact tracing is one of the most important tools to effectively break local transmission chains and control the Mpox outbreak, and urged potential contacts to cooperate with health care.

“We call on all contacts of confirmed and suspected cases to cooperate with health workers during contact tracing, screening and the 21-day monitoring period to ensure that no case goes undetected.

“All people with suspected symptoms are reminded to immediately go to their nearest healthcare facility for clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment options rather than self-diagnosing and self-isolating.”

According to Mohale, a new batch of Mpox treatment, known as Tecovirimat, is expected in the country within a few weeks.

Of the 20 cases, 10 were recorded in Gauteng, nine in KwaZulu-Natal and one in the Western Cape. All cases are in men between the ages of 17 and 43.