South Africa’s Department of Health calls for heightened public vigilance against mpox disease as the number of laboratory-confirmed cases in the country increased to 24 on 05 August 2024. South Africa has had three deaths linked to the disease thus far [1]. On 13 August 2024, Africa’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC) declared mpox a public health emergency on the African continent. According to CDC data as of August 4, Africa has had 38,465 cases of mpox and 1,456 deaths since January 2022, with the Democratic Republic of Congo being the most affected [2].
What is mpox?
Mpox (previously named monkeypox) is an infectious disease caused by an infection with the monkeypox virus[3]. This virus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. This virus is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox[4]. There are currently more than 80 poxviruses known to science, which have been isolated from different species of birds, insects, reptiles, marsupials and mammals[1].
Transmission (How is mpox virus spread?)
Direct contact with infected animals.
Close contact (including intimate contact) with a person with mpox.
Direct skin-to-skin contact with mpox rash or scabs from a person with mpox.
Contact with saliva, upper respiratory secretions (snot, mucus), and bodily fluids or lesions around the anus, rectum, or vagina from a person with mpox.
Pregnant people with mpox can pass the virus to the foetus during pregnancy or to the newborn during and after birth.
Direct contact with contaminated materials.
State of transmission in South Africa[5]
The cases of mpox in South Africa have thus far all been reported in male patients, aged between 17 and 43 years. The type of exposure reported by cases is sexual contact, and almost all self-identified as men who have sex with men (MSM). Most are persons living with HIV. None of the confirmed cases reported a history of travel outside the country.
Mpox symptoms[1,3,4]
Incubation period
Typically, mpox symptoms start within 21 days of exposure to the virus. The incubation period is 3 – 17 days. During this time, a person does not have symptoms and may feel fine.
People with mpox often get one of the following symptoms or a combination thereof:
Fever (a high temperature)
Chills
Muscular aches and backache
Headache
Exhaustion
Respiratory symptoms (e.g., sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
A skin rash which:
- Can initially look like pimples or blisters
- May be painful or itchy
- May be located on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth or near the genitals, including penis, testicles, labia, vagina, and anus
Enlarged lymph nodes and fever.
Most people fully recover within 2 – 4 weeks, but the risk of the disease becoming more severe is higher in the following groups:
People with severely weakened immune systems, e.g. patients who are living with HIV
Children younger than 1 year
People with a history of eczema
People who are pregnant
The spread of mpox from one person to others can occur from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed. New data show that some people can even spread mpox to others from one to four days before their symptoms appear.
When to seek medical help (visit a doctor or clinic)[1,4]
All people with suspected symptoms are reminded to visit the nearest healthcare facility right away for clinical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment options.
If you have had close personal contact with someone who has mpox.
If you have a new or unexplained rash or have other mpox symptoms, especially after potential exposure.
A healthcare provider will decide if you need to be tested for mpox.
A specimen sample is collected and sent to a laboratory for testing, where required.
A healthcare practitioner will make a decision on appropriate treatment where warranted.
Prevention of spread of disease[3,4]
Basic hygiene measures – hand washing, cleaning of surfaces
Avoid close contact until you have talked to your healthcare provider, including sex or being intimate with anyone.
Wear a mask, even when visiting a doctor or clinic, if you have symptoms suggestive of mpox.
As soon as a suspected case is confirmed, contact identification and contact tracing should be initiated.
For more information about Mpox and live Mpox case statistics in South Africa, please click here.
References:
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