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pox Outbreak in South Africa: One Patient Passes Away, Four Still in Recovery
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 – Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla has confirmed the death of one Mpox patient in South Africa. The patient, who passed away on Monday at Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng, was among five diagnosed with the virus.
Local Transmission Confirmed
Two cases of Mpox have been reported in Gauteng and three in KwaZulu-Natal. All patients are males aged 30 to 39 with no travel history to countries currently experiencing Mpox outbreaks, indicating local transmission of the disease. The deceased patient was originally from KwaZulu-Natal but had not returned home since December last year.
Severe Cases
During a media briefing on Wednesday, Dr. Phaahla noted that all cases were severe, necessitating hospitalization as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. The affected patients, who have comorbidities, belong to key populations, including men who have sex with men (MSM). Currently, one patient has been discharged, one is isolating at home, and two remain hospitalized.
Variant Analysis
Sequencing analysis of three cases revealed the presence of Mpox clade IIb, a variant dominant in the multi-country outbreak that began in 2022. This strain differs from the variant found in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The last recorded Mpox cases in South Africa were in 2022, with no reports in 2023.
Contact Tracing and Surveillance
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) is conducting epidemiological and surveillance activities to identify and investigate cases. In KwaZulu-Natal, 38 contacts have been identified, with one patient reporting multiple sexual partners. The Outbreak Response Team is actively tracing contacts and finding cases in affected provinces.
Dr. Phaahla urged anyone who has been in contact with a person diagnosed with Mpox or who exhibits symptoms such as skin lesions or rashes to seek medical attention immediately.
Treatment and Vaccine Efforts
Currently, there is no registered treatment for Mpox in South Africa. However, the WHO recommends Tecovirimat (TPOXX) for severe cases. The Health Department has secured TPOXX for known severe cases through Section 21 South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAPHRA) approval on a compassionate use basis.
Efforts to obtain vaccines are ongoing, with high-risk groups such as sex workers, MSM, healthcare workers, and laboratory workers being considered for priority immunization. The department, in collaboration with partner organizations, has intensified public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about Mpox.
Government Response
Dr. Phaahla emphasized the importance of managing stigma for at-risk populations and noted that there are no current travel restrictions. He advised anyone with skin eruptions to seek medical attention promptly, even if they suspect it might be chickenpox.
The government is committed to preventing further deaths. The deceased patient could not swallow his treatment due to severe sores and succumbed to the disease within a few days. The Health Department continues to monitor the situation and provide necessary interventions to manage the outbreak effectively.
