​Members of the public have been urged to be extra vigilant of mpox symptoms as three more laboratory-confirmed cases of the disease are detected in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
The National Department of Health (NDoH) confirmed this on Wednesday, 19 March that a 38-year-old man who presented to a healthcare facility with symptoms of mpox and a 14-year-old male and 33-year-old woman who are both contacts of the other patient had tested positive for Mpox.
Spokesperson for the NDoH, Foster Mohale said that none of the patients have recent travel history to countries or regions currently experiencing mpox an outbreak, which suggests there is ongoing local transmission of the virus in the country.
"This also highlights the necessity of rapid and well-coordinated contact-tracing for early detection and effective management of positive cases. This increases the total cumulative number of positive cases from 28 to 31 cases since the outbreak in May 2024. The number includes six cases recorded since the beginning of this year," said Mohale.
Common symptoms for Mpox include rash, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes, usually begin within a week but can start 1–21 days after exposure. Some people may skin lesions which can appear anywhere on the body including palms of hands and soles of feet, face, mouth and throat, groin and genital areas, as well as the anal area. The symptoms typically last for 2 – 4 weeks but may last longer in people weakened immune systems.
The patients are currently self-isolating and receiving appropriate clinical management from the healthcare workers. The Department has activated outbreak response teams in the province for contact tracing and case investigation in the affected areas. 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.
Treatment (Tecovirimat) for those experiencing severe health complications as a result of the Mpox is available in healthcare facilities. However, those with mild cases will continue to be managed with supportive treatment used to manage complications like fever, pneumonia and skin infections. It is also important to note that most people recover a few weeks after being infected, and after diagnosis, individuals should isolate and avoid close contact with others for at least 21 days or until full recovery.
In addition, the NDoH reported that all three new mpox patients also tested positive for relatively unknown, but common virus called herpes simplex virus (HSV). This is a viral infection that causes painful blisters or ulcers which mainly spreads through skin-to-skin contact including kissing and unprotected sex, hence consistent and correct use of condoms remains the best way to prevent genital herpes and other STIs.
HSV is virus is generally asymptomatic, treatable, but not curable. The symptoms include a rash which may last for 2 - 4 weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands.