The confirmed cases of mpox in South Africa have increased to 20 cases since May with three deaths.
Ten cases have been recorded in Gauteng, nine cases in KwaZulu-Natal and one in the Western Cape, according to the Department of Health.
Also read: Public urged to remain vigilant amid rise in Mpox cases
Of those 20 confirmed cases, 15 people have since received ‘a clean bill of health’, as reported by Daily Maverick.
Five people remain hospitalised due to health complications ‘compounded by either unmanaged or recently diagnosed underlying conditions such as HIV’, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Only one case was re-admitted for further medical attention.
‘People are urged to seek healthcare once they experience mpox-like symptoms or come into direct contact with someone who tested positive. The department, working with various stakeholders, continues with efforts to curb the spread/transmission of mpox in the country,’ said the department.
In the meantime, the World Health Organization (WHO) has shipped mpox medication to South Africa following an outbreak of the infectious disease in the country, according to News24.
However, the country’s stock of the mpox medication, Tecovirimat, was only sufficient to treat 15 people with a two-week dose.
This is according to Dr Joseph Wamala, WHO team leader.
In the past week, four more laboratory-confirmed mpox cases were recorded in South Africa, in both Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
‘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 the department.
The NICD has since received over 130 test requests since the outbreak of mpox in South Africa, the department added.
In the rest of the African continent, there have been 3 473 confirmed cases since the start of 2024, with 35 confirmed deaths.
Mpox also disproportionately affects vulnerable groups in impoverished areas, such as individuals living in poverty, sex workers and sexual minorities.
This is according to Dr Jean Nachega, an associate professor of medicine, infectious diseases, microbiology and epidemiology.
‘Such vulnerable groups of individuals often have limited access to healthcare services, including testing, treatment and vaccines, and are likely to face stigma, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment and increased virus spread,’ said Nachega.
While South Africa has a ‘relatively well-developed healthcare system’ when compared to other African nations, it still faces significant challenges, according to Nachega.
‘Access to mpox vaccines and treatments can be limited, especially in resource-constrained settings. Global supply chain issues and prioritisation of vaccines for more affluent countries can exacerbate these challenges,’ said Nachega.
A new variant of the disease, the MPXV clade I variant, that was reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) poses increased risks due to it being transmitted sexually.
‘Therefore, the likelihood of it reaching the pandemic level of HIV should not be underestimated,’ said Nachega.
To curb the spread of mpox, Nachega stated there is a need for enhanced surveillance, public health communication and adequate access to healthcare.
‘Targeted vaccination campaigns, particularly among high-risk groups like healthcare workers, children, pregnant women, HIV-infected individuals, sex workers and men who have sex with men along with developing effective communication strategies to educate the public, reduce stigma and combat misinformation are some of the key measures to prevention,’ said Nachega.
‘Addressing economic and healthcare inequalities is essential for improving global readiness and response to such outbreaks,’ Nachega added.
Also read:
Mpox cases rise to 13 as SA receives first batch of antiviral medication
Picture: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases / Unsplash