The other two confirmed mpox are a 14-year old man and 33-year old woman who are both contacts of the other patient. 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. 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.

Additionally, 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. The 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.

For more information about mpox and live mpox case statistics, click here.

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Globally mpox continues to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern , as well as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security in Africa (Africa CDC, 2024). The mpox outbreak is ongoing in thirteen out of 22 countries in Africa, with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo currently reporting the highest number of cases. Outside of Africa, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Mauritius, Pakistan, Philippines, Sweden, Sultanate of Oman, Thailand, The United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States (U.S), United Kingdom (UK), South Sudan, United Arab Emirates and have each reported one confirmed case of clade I mpox. No additional secondary cases have been reported following the initial cases excluding those in the United Kingdom.

South Africa remains at risk for introduction of mpox cases through travellers returning from various locations around the globe where mpox is being reported. Mpox is typically a mild and self-limiting disease with a low case fatality rate. More severe disease, and fatal outcomes, are typically found in persons living with immunodeficiencies, in particular HIV/AIDS. For more information on mpox and how the spread of the disease can be prevented, visit the NICD website at www.nicd.ac.za.

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The other two cases, a 30-year-old male and a 27-year-old female, also from Ekurhuleni, were detected through contact tracing and monitoring conducted by outbreak response teams. This highlights the importance of information sharing by primary cases for contact tracing. All three cases are now recovering and self-isolating at home. This increases the total cumulative number of positive cases from 25 to 28 cases, including three deaths since the outbreak in May last year.

These are the first positive cases of mpox recorded in South Africa this year, and the last case was recorded in September 2024. Globally, mpox continues to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) as per the declarations by both the World Health Organization and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in August 2024.

There is no need for public to panic, but people are urged to remain cautious of how mpox spreads and to seek help when faced with symptoms of mpox. The symptoms include a rash which may last for 2 – 4 weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands. 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.

The Department urges all people experiencing any of the symptoms, with or without travel history to countries and regions experiencing mpox outbreaks, or who had close contact with known mpox patients to seek medical care. Although, the country has limited stock of mpox specific vaccine for treatment of patients who experience severe health complications as a result of this disease.

Safer sex and personal hygiene practices are among the most effective preventative methods to control further spread of the disease. People are therefore reminded to always wash hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or after using the toilet.

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The patient was not admitted but urged to home-isolate while waiting for test results. The results came back positive on Friday, 6 September. According to investigation report, the patient has no recent international travel history nor contact with a suspected or confirmed mpox case. The outbreak response team in the province has been activated, contact tracing and monitoring activities are ongoing.

This increases the total number of positive cases recorded in the country since the outbreak in May this year to 25 cases, including 3 deaths. Twelve of these were reported in Gauteng, 11 reported in KwaZulu-Natal and now 2 Western Cape.

The patient is home isolating and in a stable condition. We urge all the identified and suspected contacts to cooperate with health officials during contact tracing for screening and possible diagnosis to prevent further transmission of this preventable and treatable disease. The healthcare workers understand the importance of confidentiality in managing reported and suspected cases of notifiable medical conditions.

The risk of wider transmission remains low in the country, but anyone can contract mpox regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation and race. Some of the common symptoms of mpox include a rash which may last for 2–4 weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands (lymph nodes). The painful rash looks like blisters or sores, and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, etc.

For more information about mpox and live mpox case statistics, click here.

READ THE FULL MEDIA STATEMENT HERE

Sweden confirmed its first case of mpox clade I on 15 August 2024.The patient was infected in a region of Africa experiencing a large outbreak of clade I mpox. The Swedish patient has received appropriate care according to health guidelines. This is the first confirmed case of clade I mpox outside Africa.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) on 13 August 2024, marking the first such declaration by the agency. This empowers Africa CDC to lead and coordinate health emergency responses across the continent, including mobilizing resources, enhancing surveillance, and strengthening health systems.

African health officials reported a surge in mpox cases in 2023, warning of a high risk of transmission to neighbouring countries and beyond due to the continent’s lack of treatments and vaccines. The situation is concerning due to changing transmission dynamics, a high mortality rate, and the social and economic impacts of the mpox virus. Significant challenges exist in accessing medical countermeasures, such as diagnostics for early detection and prevention. The outbreak poses a common threat to health and economic security, emphasizing the urgent need for all African Union member states to address this issue.

The outbreak has affected 13 African countries since 1 January 2024, reporting 18 737 cases (3 101 confirmed, 16 636 suspected) and 541 deaths [case fatality ratio (CFR): 18 737/541=2.89%], namely; Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic (CAR), Congo, Cote d’ Ivoire, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda have declared an outbreak of mpox.

In May 2022, DRC confirmed a mpox outbreak caused by the mpox clade I virus. In June 2024, a mutant strain, clade Ib, was reported along the eastern border with Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, causing public health concerns due to its 10% mortality rate and association with miscarriages. Originally spread through sexual contact, the new strain can also be transmitted through close skin contact. The WHO warns of cross-border and international transmission risks. Cases have been reported among schoolchildren, medical staff and entire households.

South Africa is currently experiencing an outbreak of mpox clade II, and has not detected any cases of mpox clade I. Although much remains unknown about the new mutated clade 1b strain. As a response to mpox declared as a PHEIC by WHO and PHECS by Africa CDC, South Africa continues to prioritize enhanced surveillance and raising awareness for mpox. Due to travel and trade in Africa and considering the increase of mpox cases, African countries need to enhance their existing frameworks, protocols, strategies, and agreements to improve cross-border solidarity, collaboration, and coordination in addressing infectious disease issues.

For more information about Mpox and live Mpox case statistics, click here.

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The country remains on high alert in case of surge in mpox cases and emergence of new contagious strains. Members of the public are urged to play their part and support the country`s response efforts to prevent the spread of mpox by maintaining non-pharmaceutical measures including personal hygiene. The Department is considering a number of pharmaceutical interventions which include additional treatment and vaccine, and the decision will be informed by the epidemiological data at our disposal.

It is important to clarify that both the declarations by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and WHO do not translate into trade and travel restrictions, but serve as a clarion call for member states including South Africa to work together, fast-track approval of mpox vaccine and treatment while maintaining strict safety protocols, and ensure these life-saving vaccines reach the most vulnerable populations in order to prevent further spread of this infectious, but treatable disease, and the loss of lives.

The Department of Health is working with various stakeholders including the WHO County Office, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and Border Management Authority (BMA) to intensify epidemiological and surveillance, contact tracing and health screening activities for case investigation and early detection of new positive cases in the country.

The total number of positive cases recorded in the country as of Sunday, 18 August 2024 stands at 24 including 3 deaths, 19 recoveries and two active cases undergoing home isolation. A total of 12 cases were reported in Gauteng, 11 reported in KwaZulu-Natal and one in the Western Cape.

The Department will keep the public updated on the situation and response efforts, including as and when there are new developments. We encourage businesses and organisations with operations in the affected countries to ensure to put in measures in place to ensure their employees who regularly travel to and from South Africa, are well informed of mpox; and are fit to travel. Travellers experiencing mpox-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention and if possible, delay their travel until they are diagnosed or fully recovered in order to prevent possible cross border transmission. We also urge all people who experience any of the mpox symptoms, with or without international travel history to present themselves to a health facility for clinical observation and confine themselves to one place until their test results are available.

Anyone can contract mpox regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation and race. The current epidemiological data suggests that people  living with HIV and men who have sex with men (MSM) are vulnerable to mpox. Others at high risk and vulnerable include those living with chronic medical conditions such as TB and Diabetes.

Some of the common symptoms of mpox include a rash which may last for 2–4 weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands (lymph nodes). The painful rash looks like blisters or sores, and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, etc.

For more information about Mpox and live Mpox case statistics, click here.

READ THE FULL MEDIA STATEMENT HERE

This increases the total number of cases from 22 to 24, of which 12 were reported in Gauteng, 11 reported in KwaZulu-Natal and one in the Western Cape. The number of deaths linked to the disease remains three.

Case 23 is a 36-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal who was admitted at local public health facility in Durban late in July after he experienced mpox-like rash and along with fatigue, muscle pain and rigor. The patient has no international travel history.

Case 24 is a 20-year-old man from Gauteng who was seen at a private health facility in Johannesburg on Friday, 2 August. The case presented with typical mpox lesions. He confirmed that he has international travel history to Peru in South America. It is uncertain if exposure occurred in Peru or South Africa. According to the World Health Organization multi-country mpox outbreak, Peru is amongst countries with high numbers of positive cases in the region of the Americas.

Contact tracing and monitoring activities are ongoing in the affected communities in both provinces, and the Department urges all the identified contacts to cooperate with health officials during contact tracing for screening and possible diagnosis to prevent further transmission of this preventable and treatable disease.

Of the 22 cases recorded between 8 May and 6 July, 19 of them have fully recovered. All people with suspected symptoms are reminded to visit the nearest healthcare facility right away for clinical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment options, instead of self-diagnosing and isolation.

Meanwhile, the Department would like to confirm arrival of another batch of Tecovirimat, also known as TPOXX donated by the World Health Organization as part of ongoing support to the country`s response efforts to this preventable and manageable disease.

For more information about Mpox and live Mpox case statistics, click here.

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Thus, the department would like to urge people who experience suspected mpox symptoms, with or without international travel history to present themselves to a health facility for clinical observation, confine themselves to one place and avoid gatherings until their laboratory test results are available.

All suspected mpox cases are treated with confidentiality during contact tracing and case investigation, however the department will always strike a balance between privacy of individuals and letting them know they may be at risk of infection for the benefit of public health.

We urge all the identified and suspected contacts to cooperate with health officials during contact tracing for screening and possible diagnosis to prevent further transmission of this preventable and treatable disease. The healthcare workers understand the importance of confidentiality in managing reported and suspected cases of notifiable medical conditions.

For more information about Mpox and live Mpox case statistics, click here.

READ THE FULL MEDIA STATEMENT HERE