Cape Town — The Department of Health has has urged the public to remain vigilant after three more cases of Mpox were confirmed in Ekuhuleni, Gauteng.
In a statement, the department said a 38-year-old man, a 33-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy were the three confirmed cases to have presented with symptoms.
“None of the patients have recent travel history to countries or regions currently experiencing an Mpox outbreak, which suggests there is rapidly ongoing local transmission of the virus in the country,” Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said.
Mohale said it was necessary for rapid and well-coordinated contact tracing for early detection and management of cases.
🎙#GovZAUpdates on MPOX
Public is urged to be vigilant as more MPOX cases are detected in Gauteng. pic.twitter.com/KGBpgg3OhN
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) March 20, 2025
The total number of positive cases has now risen to 31 since May 2024, including six cases since the start of the year.
“The patients are currently self-isolating and receiving appropriate clinical management from healthcare workers. The Department has activiated outbreak response trams in he province for contacttracing and case investigation in the affected areas,” Mohale added.
While Mpox is a mild disease with a low fatality rate, the risk of transmission is possible regardless of age, race or gender.
He also said that the three new Mpox patients also tested positive for an unknown but common virus called herpes simplex virus (HSV), a viral infection that causes blisters or ulcers that spread through skin-skin contact such as sex and kissing.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
