The Department of Health has urged the public to remain vigilant following the detection of three new Mpox cases in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in South Africa to 31 since the outbreak began in May 2024.
"The newly detected positive cases include a 38-year-old man who presented to the healthcare facility with symptoms of Mpox," the department said.
The other two confirmed cases, a 14-year-old boy and a 33-year-old woman, are both contacts of the first patient.
Officials have raised concerns about local transmission, as none of the patients had recent travel history to areas currently experiencing an mpox outbreak.
"This suggests there is ongoing local transmission of the virus in the country," the department said, emphasising the importance of rapid contact tracing and case management.
The Department of Health reassured the public that Mpox is typically a mild and self-limiting disease with a low case fatality rate.
"The risk of wider transmission remains low in South Africa, but anyone can contract Mpox regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, and race," officials stated.
The three new Mpox patients also tested positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV), a common viral infection spread through skin-to-skin contact.
"Consistent and correct use of condoms remains the best way to prevent genital herpes and other STIs," the department advised.
The government has activated outbreak response teams to monitor the situation and conduct case investigations in affected areas.
IOL News