Health Authorities Confirms Three New Mpox Cases In Gauteng

Health authorities have confirmed three new cases of mpox in Gauteng, marking the first laboratory-confirmed cases in South Africa for 2025.

National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) made the announcement on Friday, urging heightened awareness and asking anyone with symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.

These three confirmed cases include:

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A 30-year-old male from Ekurhuleni recently travelled to Kampala, Uganda.
Another 30-year-old male from Ekurhuleni was identified through contact tracing.
A 27-year-old female, also from Ekurhuleni, is linked to the second case.

Moreso, the first patient tested positive for Grade I Mpox virus, a strain currently circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, which has been reported in travellers worldwide.

Mpox symptoms typically include:

Fever, headache, and muscle aches

Back pain and fatigue

Swollen lymph nodes

A rash lasting two to four weeks

While mpox has a low fatality rate, the NICD confirmed that all three patients are self-isolating and recovering at home.

World Health Organisation (WHO) explains that mpox spreads primarily through close contact with an infected person, including:

Skin-to-skin contact, such as touching or sexual activity.
Mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin contact.
Face-to-face interactions, including talking or breathing in close proximity, which can spread infectious respiratory particles.

Its latest cases bring South Africa’s total mpox infections since May 2024 to 28.

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Department of Health (DoH) emphasised the importance of open communication from infected individuals to facilitate effective contact tracing and limit further spread.

“Safer sex and personal hygiene practices remain among the most effective prevention methods,” the NICD stated.

With global cases rising, health officials urge caution and vigilance to prevent further outbreaks.

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