Second case of Mpox confirmed in Durban

JOHANNESBURG - The Health Department has recorded a second laboratory-confirmed case of the Mpox disease, formally known as monkeypox.

A 39-year-old male was admitted to Addington Hospital in Durban with no travel history to regions currently experiencing an outbreak of the disease.

The department is currently working on track and tracing efforts to find people who may have been in contact with the patient.

READ: Health department calls for vigilance as monkeypox case detected in Gauteng

Monkeypox is an infectious disease that can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever.

Meanwhile, the department is urging anyone who experiences suspected symptoms of the virus to visit a health facility for testing

"According to the World Health Organization, multi-country outbreak of Mpox, a total of 466 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox and three deaths from 22 countries were reported globally in March 2024, illustrating that low-level transmission continues across the world," said Department of Health spokesperson, Foster Mohale.