South Africa Records First Mpox Death
South Africa's health minister announced the country's first confirmed Mpox death, with a 37-year-old man succumbing to the virus in Gauteng province. All cases this year required hospitalization, indicating local transmission.
In a significant public health announcement, South Africa has recorded its first confirmed death from Mpox, according to the country's health minister, Joe Phaahla. The 37-year-old man passed away on Monday after being admitted to a hospital in Gauteng province three days earlier.
Minister Phaahla detailed that this death is one among five severe cases of Mpox recorded in South Africa this year. The other cases included another patient in Gauteng and three in KwaZulu-Natal. All cases necessitated hospitalization, and all patients were men aged between 30 and 39. Importantly, none of these individuals had traveled to countries currently experiencing outbreaks, indicating that the virus is being transmitted locally.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral infection spread through close contact. Initial symptoms are fever, headaches, swellings, back pain, and aching muscles, which can develop into a rash. The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared a public health emergency for Mpox in 2022, which was lifted last year, though sporadic cases continue to be reported globally.
"One death is too many, especially from a preventable and manageable disease," Minister Phaahla stated, urging people with suspected symptoms to seek medical attention promptly and assist in contact tracing. He noted that all five diagnosed patients had pre-existing immuno-deficiencies and contracted the disease since the beginning of May.
Two of the infected individuals have been discharged and allowed to go home, while two others remain hospitalized. Health officials will monitor anyone who had contact with the deceased for 21 days to prevent further spread.
The first human case of Mpox was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, where the disease remains endemic, as per the WHO.
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