Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla has announced that South Africa has recorded 5 confirmed cases of Mpox, known as Monkey Pox. Two of these cases were reported in Gauteng, while three others were reported in KwaZulu Natal.

During a media briefing on Wednesday, Phaahla added that one of the Gauteng patients died at Tembisa Hospital on Monday due to the disease.

Out of the four remaining patients, two are currently hospitalized, one has been discharged with ongoing treatment and isolation, and one has been declared free of the virus. Among these cases, three are located in KwaZulu-Natal, and one is in Gauteng.

According to the Health Department, the first case was reported in Gauteng in May. The patients, who are all males between 30 and 39 years old, had contracted the disease through local transmission. This was confirmed after it was found that none of the patients travelled abroad.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the latest 2 cases, reported in KwaZulu Natal, were patients who have come in contact with the first confirmed case reported in the province.

Phaahla added that all five cases were classified as severe as per the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) definition requiring hospitalisation.

“The cases have co-morbidities and have been identified as key populations, Men who have Sex with Men (MSM).”

The Department has therefore reached out to organisations working on HIV programmes and with key populations and other stakeholders to intensify awareness about the outbreak and local transmission of the disease.

Monkey Pox treatment

Currently, there is no registered treatment for Mpox in South Africa. However, the WHO recommends the use of Tecovirimat (known as TPOXX) for the treatment of severe cases. The Health Department has obtained the treatment, following SAPHRA approval, on a compassionate use basis for the five known patients with severe disease. However, only three of the five cases had access to TPOXX treatment.

“As far as the vaccine is concerned, options are being considered as to which population groups should be targeted.”

South Africa is trying to source vaccines from WHO member countries who have stockpiles that exceed their needs.

While the WHO have not recommended any travel restrictions, travellers to and from mpox endemic countries are urged to alert health officials. This is to enable them to guide case detection and management.

Further spread of this infectious disease can be prevented if those with suspected symptoms or who were in contact with known patients present themselves at health care facilities on time for early diagnosis and effective treatment.

Phaahla added that local transmission can be ended by supporting those diagnosed with this disease in taking their treatment to prevent infecting others.

“We can prevent avoidable deaths by cooperating with health officials when they conduct contact tracing and case finding.”