Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla, has called on the public to be vigilant as the country records the laboratory-confirmed case of Monkey Pox disease, otherwise known as Mpox.

The case is a 35-year-old male residing in the Sedibeng area who tested positive. 

The case was first tested by Lancet Laboratory, which was later confirmed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), which immediately notified the department.

“Mpox is a rare viral infectious disease in humans caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). Although the virus is not highly transmissible from person to person, it has increased in global public health significance and can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick,” said departmental spokesperson Foster Mohale. 

“According to the preliminary investigation and case findings reports, the patient has no recent travel history to countries experiencing an outbreak of the disease,” said Mohale. 

Mohale says both the national and Gauteng Departments of Health have been actively involved and are managing the situation as per protocol and national guidelines.

“Contact tracing is continuing, identifying any additional linked cases of mpox in South Africa,” added Mohale.