No case of the global monkeypox virus outbreak has been detected in the Free State. However, the Western Cape has reported two cases, while Gauteng and Limpopo reported one each.
The two Western Cape monkeypox cases involved a 32-year-old and 28-year-old, that in Gauteng a 30-year-old, and that in Limpopo a 42-year-old. These cases were reported during June and July, as well as in the second week of August.
According to the National Department of Health, the 28-year-old individual’s travel history indicates that they travelled to Spain and returned to South Africa during the week in question. The Limpopo case involved a tourist from Switzerland while the other two had no travel history.
Since May, monkeypox has been reported in more than 4,000 individuals from several European countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. Deaths from 42 countries have been reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson of the provincial Department of Health, said the province was incident free of the virus for now.
“Our Surveillance Team is on high alert and any suspicious case that may resemble any of the characteristics of monkeypox is subjected to thorough scrutiny in line with approved standards of the WHO. Our system is centralised and any suspicious activity in any of our health facilities is subjected to scrutiny,” said Mvambi.
According to Prof. Ramneek Ahluwalia, chief executive officer of Higher Health, science-based public health information, education and knowledge sharing remains key in preventing monkeypox virus from spreading in the country. According to him, an education campaign was key during Covid-19 virus outbreak.
Ahluwalia warned that the Covid-19 pandemic remains a public health emergency and called on stringent efforts made towards early detection of cases.
“We urge the public to pursue the efforts we all pledged to do. We call on the continued drive to vaccinate all eligible citizens,” said Ahluwalia.
“Concerted efforts need to be made towards early detection of cases, early isolation, contact tracing and early ring vaccination for all contacts to prevent further spread.
“Raising awareness of risk factors and educating people about the measures they can take to reduce exposure to the virus is the main prevention strategy for monkeypox.”
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said that more than 270 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory tests have been performed.
A PCR test detects genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus. According to NICD, the implication is that there is a community transmission – person-to-person transmission which involves close contact with an infected person or materials that have been contaminated by an infected person.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the vaccine be given within four days from the date of exposure to prevent onset of the disease.
If given between four to 14 days after the date of exposure, vaccination may reduce the symptoms of disease, but may not prevent the disease.
