Mpox, flu on the rise, warns KZN Health Department

The South African Department of Health has issued an urgent warning to the public following a significant rise in Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) and flu cases across the country.

The warning comes after a second case in the country was reported at the Addington Hospital over the weekend.

The department is urging citizens to seek medical advice if they exhibit any symptoms associated with Mpox disease.

“The new patient is a 39-year-old male who was admitted to Addington Hospital in Durban, without any travel history to regions currently experiencing an outbreak of the disease,” the statement said.

In response, health authorities are collaborating closely with provincial officials and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). They have initiated contact tracing and case finding to identify and assess individuals who have been in contact with the patient, aiming to curb further transmission at both household and community levels.

The department’s statement also highlighted efforts to trace connections between the latest case and an earlier confirmed case in Gauteng.

“This will also assist to establish if the second case was in contact with the first case confirmed in Gauteng earlier this month,” read the statement.

Globally, the World Health Organization has reported a multi-country outbreak of Mpox. In March 2024, there were 466 laboratory-confirmed cases and three deaths reported from 22 countries, indicating that low-level transmission persists worldwide.

“In the African Region, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reports the highest number of confirmed positive cases, which represent just over a tenth of the suspected (clinically compatible) cases and deaths reported,” the department’s statement read.

The Department of Health also addressed the issue of stigma and discrimination, which can hinder public health efforts.

“Stigma and discrimination may prolong a disease outbreak by stopping people from coming forward for information or seeking testing or care,” the statement warned.

“Thus, we urge the public and communities to support those who tested positive for Mpox to take treatment and those with suspected symptoms to go for screening and testing instead of discriminating against them,” read the statement.