Health Dept urges anyone experiencing Mpox symptoms to get tested
Monkey pox is transmitted through physical contact, causing painful rash symptoms similar to those of flu.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla addresses the media at a briefing in Pretoria on 31 May 2023. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - The National Health Department is urging anyone experiencing monkeypox (Mpox) symptoms to seek urgent medical attention and get tested for the disease.
Monkeypox is transmitted through physical contact, causing painful rash symptoms similar to flu.
Five people have tested positive for Mpox in the last month, with one death reported in Gauteng, at the Tembisa Hospital on Monday.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla revealed these details during a media briefing in Pretoria on Wednesday.
Phaahla cautioned the public not to ignore symptoms similar to those of Mpox.
"Its presentation is in the form of skin lesions or eruptions on the skin. Those who have had chicken pox will know that chicken pox also presents as a skin eruption."
Phaahla has further pleaded with people with underlying conditions not to panic.
"For the fact that this is a disease that can be treated, anybody with suspicions or doubts should rather go to the nearest health facility so that it can be tested."
Other notable Mpox symptoms include fatigue, muscle pains, headaches and blisters.