Health Dept urges SAns to seek medical attention if they suspect mpox symptoms

JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Health is urging South Africans to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they suspect any signs of the mpox virus - also known as monkey pox - after an infections rise in the country.

Since the outbreak in May, the country has recorded sixteen positive cases and three deaths.

Some of the common symptoms of mpox include a rash that may last for two to four weeks, headache, fever, muscle aches and back pain.

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Mia Malan, the founder and editor-in-chief of the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism, said Mpox is not an airborne virus.

“You essentially get it from those blisters on someone's skin. Those blisters contain fluid, and those fluids are loaded with the virus. So, in order to get mpox, you need to get in touch with those blisters.”

She said those vaccinated against smallpox are less likely to contract mpox.

“In South Africa, we vaccinated everyone against smallpox until 1980. So, if you are 45 years or older, you’re likely to have been vaccinated against smallpox, and that vaccine makes you 85% less likely to be infected with the monkeypox virus.”