Johannesburg, South Africa – The South African Department of Health has assured the public that the ongoing Mpox outbreak remains under control, despite an increase in suspected cases. This rise is attributed to heightened awareness and increased surveillance efforts.
Earlier today, confusion arose after the Gauteng Department of Education mistakenly reported a case of Mpox at a school in Hammanskraal. The provincial department has since apologized for the error, acknowledging it “acted prematurely” without confirmation from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
As of July 2024, South Africa has reported 22 confirmed Mpox cases. Of these, 16 individuals have recovered, while three have sadly passed away. Three active cases are currently being monitored.
The Department of Health urges anyone experiencing suspected Mpox symptoms, with or without a history of international travel, to seek immediate medical attention. Individuals should self-isolate and avoid gatherings until test results are available. The department assures confidentiality during contact tracing and case investigation.
“Balancing individual privacy with public health needs is crucial,” the department said in a statement. “We may need to inform close contacts of potential exposure risks to prevent further transmission.”
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a preventable and treatable viral illness. Common symptoms include a characteristic rash lasting two to four weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
Healthcare workers are trained to maintain confidentiality when dealing with reported and suspected cases of Mpox and other notifiable diseases.
