The South African Health Department has assured the public that the mpox virus remains under control but urges vigilance and immediate medical consultation for anyone displaying potential symptoms, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Mpox: 20 confirmed cases with death toll of 3 in SA
IOL reports that people with chronic conditions like HIV, tuberculosis and diabetes are urged to stick to their treatment plans to strengthen their immunity against diseases like mpox.
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This follows the World Health Organisation’s recent declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, prompted by a surge in cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the spread to previously unaffected African countries.
The Africa CDC reports that suspected mpox cases across the continent have now surpassed 17 000.
The WHO has warned that mpox is a public health emergency of international concern with the potential to spread further across African countries and beyond.
South Africa has confirmed 24 positive cases, including three deaths.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said: ‘The declaration of mpox as PHEIC doesn’t immediately change the current response efforts by the country. In fact, the situation remains under control for now based on the … number of positive cases and epidemiological and surveillance data at our disposal.’
He noted a link between mpox and HIV, urging those with chronic conditions to adhere to their treatments to bolster immunity against diseases like mpox.
Dr Tamsin Lovelock from Stellenbosch University/Tygerberg Hospital emphasised that the WHO declaration should not cause panic but highlight mpox as a health priority, leading to increased resources for diagnostics and management.
‘Mpox is caused by a virus, it is an infection.’
‘There is an antiviral agent available (to treat it) and there is also a vaccine. Both of those are not easily available in South Africa, although the antiviral agent can be procured for patients who have severe disease.’
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‘The ruling by WHO makes access to treatment and vaccine a lot easier, particularly for less well-resourced settings.’
Dr Lovelock highlighted that there are established diagnostics, treatments, and a vaccine for mpox.
Current research is focused on understanding how the virus is transmitted, identifying high-risk groups, and finding ways to limit its spread, while also seeking to improve and reduce the cost of treatment options.
First case outside Africa:
According to News24, on Thursday, Sweden confirmed its first case of mpox, marking the first instance of the viral infection being reported outside Africa.
This development came just a day after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years.
According to Olivia Wigzell, Director-General of the Swedish Public Health Agency, the individual contracted the virus while staying in a region of Africa experiencing a significant outbreak.
Also read:
South Africa confirms two new Monkeypox cases, bringing total to 24
Picture: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases / Unsplash