Health Dept says mpox outbreak in SA under control but tracing & screening at borders to be ramped up
Last week, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO) both raised the alarm against a new rapid and viral strain that has reportedly crossed borders, affecting thousands of people across Africa.
Mpox (previously monkeypox) virus particles, illustration. Picture: Science Photo Library via AFP
JOHANNESBURG - The Health Department says while the declaration of mpox as a global health emergency does not translate into trade and travel restrictions, it's intensifying tracing and screening activities at the country's borders.
Last week, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO) both raised the alarm against a new rapid and viral strain that has reportedly crossed borders, affecting thousands of people across Africa.
The department said it had the outbreak in the country under control, with 24 cases and three fatalities recorded so far.
Twelve of these cases were reported in Gauteng, 11 in KwaZulu-Natal and one in the Western Cape.
Department spokesperson, Foster Mohale: "The Department of Health is working with various stakeholders, including the WHO country office, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and Border Management Authority (BMA), to intensify epidemiological and surveillance, contact tracing and health screening activities for case investigation and early detection of new positive cases in the country."