The South African health minister has confirmed that a second person has died from Mpox. This was reported less than 24 hours after the first case was confirmed. Both victims, aged 37 and 38, were tested and the results were positive for the virus. The total number of cases in the country has now risen to six with two cases in Gauteng and four reported in KwaZulu-Natal. The cases have all been severe. Notably, the affected individuals aged 30-39, had not travelled to regions experiencing an mpox outbreak signifying that the virus was transmitted locally.
Health Minister, Joe Phaahla said the six men had underlying conditions and had contracted the illness since May. The most recent victim who died from the virus had HIV. Mpox is known to be more deadly to those with underlying health conditions and vulnerable immune systems. Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, is a rare viral illness that is transmitted through close contact which is through scabs, sores, respiratory droplets and bodily fluids.
The symptoms include swelling, headaches, fever, back pain, muscle aches thus progressing to a rash. While the World Health Organisation ended the declaration of an mpox outbreak in 2022, cases persist in many different countries. Phaahla urges those experiencing symptoms to seek medical assistance. Additionally, he said, “One death is too many especially from a preventable and manageable disease.” He pointed out the global spread of the virus with more than 100 countries reporting cases since 2022.
He mentioned that two of the infected individuals have been discharged while the remaining two are still hospitalised and receiving treatment. Furthermore, anyone who has been in contact with a deceased person, will be kept under observation for 21 days. Common in many other parts of Africa, Mpox transmission typically occurs through contact or bites from infected rodents or other small animals. The first ever human case of the virus was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, the DRC has been considered endemic for the Mpox.
The virus was not known to be transmitted between humans until recently in 2022 when authorities declared in Europe, North America and other places thus prompting the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare the outbreak a global crisis. During this outbreak, it was discovered that the virus was spread through sexual contact, predominantly affecting bisexual men. However, since 2023, the virus was no longer declared a global emergency.
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