South Africa has received its first batch of Tecovirimat (Tpoxx or ST-246), an antiviral drug for treating mpox, as the national Health Department reported an increase in infections. This treatment is specifically for patients with severe health complications due to mpox.
On Thursday, the Health Department announced that the country had confirmed 13 cases of mpox, with two fatalities. In Gauteng alone, health officials are investigating 30 cases.
According to the World Health Organization, the global mpox outbreak from January 1, 2022, to April 30, 2024, resulted in 97,208 laboratory-confirmed cases and 186 deaths across 117 countries in all six WHO regions.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale stated that efforts to secure more treatments, including vaccines, are ongoing. However, mild cases will continue to be managed with supportive treatments for complications such as fever, pneumonia, and skin infections.
"The department urges everyone, regardless of gender, age, or sexual orientation, with suspected mpox symptoms or who had physical contact with known cases to seek clinical evaluation at a health-care facility. Anyone can contract this preventable and treatable disease," Mohale said. The recent detection of six more laboratory-confirmed mpox cases brings the total number to 13, with seven in KwaZulu-Natal, five in Gauteng, and one in the Western Cape.
In an interview with "Newzroom Afrika," UKZN infectious disease specialist Dr. Richard Lessells explained that people with healthier immune systems typically experience mild symptoms, while those with weaker immune systems may suffer more severe symptoms.
On Thursday, the Health Department announced that the country had confirmed 13 cases of mpox, with two fatalities. In Gauteng alone, health officials are investigating 30 cases.
According to the World Health Organization, the global mpox outbreak from January 1, 2022, to April 30, 2024, resulted in 97,208 laboratory-confirmed cases and 186 deaths across 117 countries in all six WHO regions.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale stated that efforts to secure more treatments, including vaccines, are ongoing. However, mild cases will continue to be managed with supportive treatments for complications such as fever, pneumonia, and skin infections.
"The department urges everyone, regardless of gender, age, or sexual orientation, with suspected mpox symptoms or who had physical contact with known cases to seek clinical evaluation at a health-care facility. Anyone can contract this preventable and treatable disease," Mohale said. The recent detection of six more laboratory-confirmed mpox cases brings the total number to 13, with seven in KwaZulu-Natal, five in Gauteng, and one in the Western Cape.
In an interview with "Newzroom Afrika," UKZN infectious disease specialist Dr. Richard Lessells explained that people with healthier immune systems typically experience mild symptoms, while those with weaker immune systems may suffer more severe symptoms.
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