Gauteng man with no travel history contracts monkeypox

A laboratory-confirmed case of monkeypox at the Ahmed Kathrada Hospital in Johannesburg has been registered.

The patient is a 35-year-old man from Savanna City in the Sedibeng district.

“From the information gathered, the patient does not have a travel history,” health and social development mayoral committee member Ennie Makhafola said.

“The outbreak response team has been dispatched for case management and contact tracing.”

The case notification was issued last week.

Monkeypox, or mpox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus.

Mpox can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, contaminated materials or infected animals.

There have been five laboratory-confirmed monkeypox cases reported with no deaths.

These were in Limpopo, Gauteng and the Western Cape between June and October 2022.

“Though the risk of monkeypox to the public is considered low, healthcare workers should be on high alert and maintain a high index of suspicion for individuals presenting with an unexplained acute rash or skin lesions,” the city said.

Accompanying symptoms include headaches, acute onset of fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain, body aches and backache.

Infection begins with an incubation period where the person does not have symptoms.

Incubation lasts one to two weeks and a person is not contagious during this time.

Management of mpox includes supportive care and pain control, isolation and monitoring for up to 21 days.

Health minister Joe Phaahla said: “The national and Gauteng departments of health have been involved and are managing the situation as per protocol and national guidelines.

“Contact tracing is continuing.”