Be vigilant of monkeypox

Office of the Premier 2022/07/13 - 22:00



The Department of Health has recommended vigilance after the discovery of the first monkeypox case in South Africa.

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported two cases of persons with no recent travel history.

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection in humans. Since May 2022, monkeypox has been reported in more than 3 000 individuals from several European countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

This is the first multi-country outbreak of monkeypox and is already the largest outbreak of monkeypox recorded.

Recent large social events are thought to have served as super spreader events.

The virus is not highly transmissible and close physical contact is required for transmission. It does not spread similarly to influenza or the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Prevention of infection hinges on the isolation of cases until fully recovered.

Monkeypox presents with an acute illness characterised by fever and general flu-like symptoms, followed by the eruption of a blister-like rash on the skin. The disease is rarely fatal and cases typically resolve within two to four weeks. Most cases do not require hospital treatment.

For more information on monkeypox visit: https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/monkeypox/


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