South Africa Records Two New Mpox Cases in Latest Surge

South Africa has experienced a recent surge in Monkeypox cases, with two new laboratory-confirmed cases reported despite ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak. The Department of Health issued a statement urging the public to remain vigilant as the total number of Mpox infections reaches 22 since the initial case in May.

The latest cases involve a 40-year-old man from Johannesburg, Gauteng, who traveled to Durban where he was diagnosed with Mpox at a private health facility. The second case is a 26-year-old man from Nquthu in KwaZulu-Natal who presented with Mpox symptoms at a local hospital. Both cases had no international travel history but self-identified as MSM (men who have sex with men).

Individuals experiencing Mpox symptoms, such as rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen glands, are advised to seek medical attention regardless of travel history. The Department of Health emphasizes the importance of clinical observation and self-isolation until test results are available for those with symptoms.

Contact tracing and monitoring are ongoing in Durban and Nquthu, focusing on close contacts of the newly confirmed cases. The department urges cooperation from identified and suspected contacts in screening and diagnosis to prevent further transmission of this communicable disease.