A 40-year-old man from Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal has become the latest victim of the Mpox outbreak in South Africa, bringing the total death toll to three.
The Department of Health confirmed the latest death and three additional cases, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 16 since the outbreak in May 2024.
The latest cases involve a 40-year-old man who presented with smallpox-like symptoms, including a rash all over his body and passed away at home without seeking medical attention.
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Two additional cases were confirmed in Gauteng, involving a 43-year-old man and a 29-year-old man, both of whom presented with symptoms indicative of the disease.
Of the 16 infections, eight cases are from KwaZulu-Natal, seven cases are from Gauteng, and one case is from the Western Cape. All individuals involved in the cases are men and aged between 23 and 43 years old.
The Department of Health has embarked on health education with funeral parlours on how to handle the human remains of suspected and confirmed cases, and is working to secure more treatment, including vaccines, for the infectious disease.
Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus and can be transmitted through contact with the virus from an animal, human, or materials contaminated with the virus. It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and a fever.
Citizens are urged to support all those who are showing symptoms to present at their nearest healthcare facilities immediately for screening and diagnosis, instead of self-diagnosis and using over-the-counter medication.
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The department has reassured the public that Mpox is preventable and manageable, and treatment for both mild and severe cases is available.
The Witness
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