Mpox: Health Department allays locals' fears amid infections growth on continent
On Tuesday, the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) and Prevention declared mpox a public health emergency, resulting in widespread concern.
Mpox (previously monkeypox) virus particles, illustration. Picture: Science Photo Library via AFP
JOHANNESBURG - The national Department of Health is calling on the public not to panic over the growing spread of the monkeypox (mpox) disease on the continent.
On Tuesday, the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) and Prevention declared mpox a public health emergency, resulting in widespread concern.
According to trusted data, says the department, the disease is spreading rapidly in several countries.
Scientists from the Africa CDC are alarmed at the speed at which a new strain of mpox has been spreading.
The strain has reportedly crossed borders, affecting thousands of people across Africa.
Experts say the declaration is not a formality, but a call for countries to be more proactive and aggressive in their efforts to contain the health threat.
While South Africa has only recorded 24 cases to date, the Department of Health’s spokesperson - Foster Mohale - says there are measures in place to safeguard citizens.
“In South Africa, we are lucky because in as much as the treatment is very scarce across the world, through the intervention and the donation of the World Health Organization’s country office—we managed to secure specific treatment.”
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is meeting to decide whether the mpox surge on the continent should be declared a global public health emergency.