News24 | Mpox cases surge, with new outbreak in Western Cape

Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale is urging citizens to remain vigilant of mpox symptoms as the country is experiencing a rapid increase in laboratory-confirmed mpox cases.

Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

• The health department says that at least 18 new cases of mpox have been reported.
• Fifteen of those cases have been recorded in the Western Cape.
• The department said that a limited number of vaccines are available in the country.

At least 18 new mpox cases have been reported, the Department of Health has said, with most of them centred in the Western Cape.

The department added that, as of Thursday, the country has recorded 18 confirmed and one probable case.

“The Department of Health is urging citizens to remain vigilant of mpox symptoms as the country is experiencing a rapid increase in laboratory-confirmed mpox cases in the past few weeks,” spokesperson Foster Mohale said.

“This requires immediate and sustained public cooperation to contain.”

The majority (15) of these cases were reported in the Western Cape, particularly in Cape Town. Three cases were reported in Gauteng and one in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Of concern is that 13 of the total cases were recorded between 13 August and 17 September, which suggests a rapid local transmission of this preventable viral infection,” said Mohale.

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The patients range in age from 23 to 50 years, with a median age of 36.5 years, and 18 of them are males, with only one female.

“One of the most recent cases involved an individual who travelled to Spain earlier this month and returned to South Africa on 14 September. This person underwent testing in Spain after being informed of his probable case status. South African health authorities are in contact with the Spanish counterparts regarding laboratory test results of the individual to confirm his mpox status,” said Mohale

Mpox may present in a person who was in close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus in the last few weeks (up to 21 days) and will present with similar symptoms.

Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and rash or skin lesions that may appear on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or other body parts. Typically, the skin lesions start as flat red spots, then progress to bumps, followed by fluid-filled blisters, then pus-filled bumps, and finally crusting over into scabs.

READ | Mpox cases rise to 13, as health department receives first batch of disease-specific medication

The symptoms usually appear within six to 13 days after exposure, but can range from 5 to 21 days.

Mpox is transmitted mainly through close physical contact with an infected person, including skin-to-skin contact with the rash or lesions, and contact with contaminated materials such as bedding, clothing, or towels used by an infected person. Mpox-positive people can also transmit the virus through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact, uncovered coughing or sneezing.

“The government, through the support of the World Health Organisation, has secured limited doses of mpox vaccines (Tecovirimat) as part of its outbreak response strategy to disrupt local transmission. The health authorities will decide where and how to use these doses to contain outbreaks. Vaccination should be accompanied by continued adherence to preventive measures,” said Mohale.