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Ministry of Health spokesman Foster Mohale expressed concern about the increase in cases in Mpox. (Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
- Health authorities are on high alert for a possible surge in the outbreak in Mpox.
- There have been two further laboratory-confirmed cases in KwaZulu-Natal this week.
- Available scientific data suggests that the disease is spreading from person to person.
Health authorities are on high alert for a possible surge in Mpox, with two further laboratory-confirmed cases recorded in KwaZulu-Natal this week.
The total number of confirmed cases has risen from 20 to 22 since the outbreak began in May, with three deaths.
The latest cases include a 40-year-old man who was diagnosed with the infection on July 6 at a private health facility in Durban, department spokesman Foster Mohale said.
“The patient is from Johannesburg but travelled to Durban last weekend where he developed an Mpox-like rash,” he said.
Read | Mpox cases expected to rise as health authorities step up contact tracing
Mohale said the other case was a 26-year-old man from Nkutu, KwaZulu-Natal, who presented to a local hospital with a rash similar to Mpox.
“Both new cases self-identified as MSM (men who have sex with men) with no international travel history but local travel history,” he said.
“Available scientific data shows that the disease is spreading from person to person within the country. The department calls on the public to remain vigilant and not let down their guard against the Mpox disease.
“Despite increased public awareness and intensive contact tracing activities to curb the spread of the disease, the situation has not improved.”
Mohale urged people who show symptoms of Mpox, regardless of whether they have a history of international travel, to seek clinical observation at a health facility.
He said contact tracing and monitoring were ongoing in both provinces, especially for the close contacts of the patients.
“We urge all confirmed and suspected contacts to cooperate with health officials in the contact tracing process for screening and possible diagnosis to prevent further spread of this preventable and treatable disease.”
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