Monkeypox Cases Surge in South Africa: Health Department Urges Medication Compliance

• The Health Department has advised those on chronic medication to stick to their regimen to reduce the risk of contracting Monkeypox
• The department issued the warning after a man in Cape Town tested positive for Mpox, bringing the number of confirmed cases to seven
• In its statement, the department explained that all the patients who tested positive for the ailment were living with a chronic disease

Zingisa Chirwa is an experienced Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who has covered current affairs on the radio for over 15 years.

The Health Department has urged South Africans on chronic medication to stick to their regimen to reduce the risk of Monkeypox infection. The warning was issued after the number of positive Mpox cases rose to seven.

Read also

Bucie facing divorce as "Superman" husband files papers, singer leaves matrimonial home, fans react

Mpox claims 7th patient

The latest confirmed case was a 39-year-old man in Cape Town, who tested positive on 13 June 2024 after being hospitalised for about two weeks.

In a statement, the department indicated that it detected that those who tested positive for the virus were patients previously diagnosed with a chronic illness. It explained that consistency in taking treatment could lessen the impact of the disease:

“Treatment adherence can prevent new or worsening health problems, and failure to adhere to your prescriptions can negatively impact the quality of your life.”

The Health Department would reportedly receive a batch of tecovirimat to treat the illness.

Mpox is transmitted through physical contact, causing painful rash symptoms like flu.

South Africans share their views on Mpox

Some social media users shared their differing views on Mpox.

Read also

Gauteng’s bogus initiation schools: 138 boys reunited with families

Rashid P Mussa said:

“The world is coming to an end with so many mysterious things.”

Mduduzi Mdu Mdu pointed out:

“In 2018, it was listeriosis, then Covid-19 in 2020, and now there's Mpox! Ai suka!”

Becky Leanne M'remi suspected:

"Is it depopulation?"

Mlefi Lesia asked:

"When is lockdown again???"

Dario de Carvalho added:

"Fear mongering."

Health Minister Joe Phaahla confirms 2nd Mpox death

Briefly News previously reported that Health, Dr Joe Phaahla confirmed the country’s second Mpox-related death.

The minister said a 38-year-old man from Brakpan, Gauteng, died while in KwaZulu-Natal.

Phaahla emphasised the importance of early medical consultations to curb the spread of Monkeypox.

Source: Briefly News