Monkey pox case reported in South Africa
Pretty Manyewe
South Africa has recorded its first monkeypox case.
Since 13 May 2022, there have been over 1000 laboratory confirmed cases of monkeypox which have been identified in 27 World Health Organisation member states.
Although epidemiological investigations are ongoing, most cases have proven not to be fatal.
Most reported cases so far have been presented through sexual health or other health services in primary or secondary health care facilities and have involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men (MSM).
South African Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla has confirmed the emergence of the monkeypox in South Africa, after receiving a report from the National Health Laboratory Services.
The current outbreak has been dominating by high numbers in Europe countries such as United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Portugal and France. Cases have also been reported in the USA and Canada.
The disease has previously been reported in African countries such as Nigeria, DRC, CA Republic and Ghana in the early 2000s.
“I received a report from the National Health laboratory Services CEO that they have confirmed through laboratory tests the first case of monkeypox in South Africa. The patient is a 30 year old male from Johannesburg who has no travel history, meaning that this cannot be attributed to having been acquired outside South Africa. Working with the relevant health authorities a process of contact tracing has begun.
Monkeypox is usually a mild disease manifesting as a blisters on the skin. It is usually mild and self-limiting with a fatality rate of 1%,” wrote Dr Phaahla.
South Africa is training its health workers to be able to detect the disease.
The disease only spread through close droplets so you cannot get by being in the same room with an infected person, it only spreads through close contact.
Currently no cases have been reported anywhere else in other African countries especially SADC countries close to South Africa.
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