In the first four months of 2024, more than 97,000 cases and 186 deaths were reported across 117 countries. South Africa has reported a second death from the viral infection mpox, less than 24 hours after announcing the first death. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is transmitted through close contact with infected humans or animals, as well as via contaminated materials.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency in July 2022, which lasted for 10 months. The second person to die from mpox in South Africa was a 38-year-old man admitted to a hospital in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. He presented with extensive lesions, headache, fatigue, oral ulcers, muscle pain, and a sore throat, testing positive for mpox on Wednesday.
“The patient has unfortunately demised in KZN the same day his test results came back positive,” spokesperson for the national health department Foster Mohale said.
The total number of laboratory-confirmed mpox cases stands at six in the country, with two deaths since the first case was recorded five weeks ago.
On Wednesday, Health Minister Joe Phaahla had announced the first death, and four more infections.
“One death is too many, especially from a preventable and manageable disease,” Phaahla said, urging those with suspected symptoms to seek medical attention and help trace contacts.
The six cases of mpox recorded in South Africa were the first in the country since 2022. Mpox spreads through close physical contact and can cause mild symptoms but also has the potential to be fatal. Common symptoms include painful and scarring lesions, fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
The disease primarily affects the face, anus, and genitals. Mpox was first discovered in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and its spread has been mainly limited to certain West and Central African nations. In the first four months of 2024, more than 97,000 cases and 186 deaths were reported across 117 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In South Africa, all recently infected individuals were men in their 30s, and their cases were classified as severe.
The health minister, Phaahla, mentioned the intention to obtain a stockpile of Tecovirimat treatment for rapid deployment in case of a wider outbreak. Tecovirimat is an antiviral drug used in the treatment of mpox.
