In June 2024 South Africa’s Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, announced an additional laboratory-confirmed case of mpox and a second death linked to the disease. This follows an update that reported a total of 5 laboratory-confirmed cases and the first death. As none of the cases have travel history to countries experiencing an outbreak, the Minister infers that there is local transmission in South Africa.
Increasing numbers
The first report from Dr Phaahla stated that all 5 cases were males between the ages of 30 and 39 years. These cases were classified “severe”, requiring hospitalisation. The cases have co-morbidities and were identified as “key populations, Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)”.
A day after the first announcement, a further case was admitted to hospital in uMgungundlovu, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and tested positive for mpox on Wednesday 12th June. This patient was living with HIV and presented with “extensive lesions, lymphadenopathy, headache, fatigue, oral ulcers, muscle pain, and sore throat”. He died on the same day.
The country responds
Dr Phaahla emphasised the importance of “personal hygiene, timely presenting at the health facility for early diagnosis, and effective treatment”. Three of the first five cases were given Tecovirimat, a treatment recommended by WHO for use in severe cases. His statement indicates that “options are being considered” for vaccine targeting.
“South Africa is trying to source vaccine from WHO member countries who have stockpiles that exceed their needs as well as from GAVI.”
The vaccines will be stored and distributed from provincial depots. The National Advisory Group for Immunisation (NAGI) Technical Working Group for Mpox vaccines has been appointed and is reportedly considering use of the vaccine for pre- and post-exposure administration for “high-risk groups, including but not limited to sex workers, men-who-have-sex-with-men, healthcare workers, and laboratory workers”.
“One death is too many, especially from a preventable and manageable disease like mpox.”
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