15 Mpox patients have received a clean bill of health, while four new cases have been confirmed. The Department of Health (DoH) stated that the recovery of these patients showcases that Mpox is treatable if detected early. The DoH emphasized the importance of seeking healthcare upon experiencing Mpox-like symptoms or after direct contact with a confirmed case.

Among the recovered patients, five individuals are still hospitalized due to severe health issues exacerbated by unmanaged or recently diagnosed underlying conditions like HIV. Only one patient required readmission for further medical attention.

The recent cases include a 17-year-old man from Hillbrow in Johannesburg, a 37-year-old man from Pretoria East, a 29-year-old man from West Rand, and a 19-year-old man from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. With these new cases, the total number of Mpox cases in South Africa has reached 20, with three fatalities since the disease outbreak in May 2024. All new cases are males aged between 17-43 years old.

Efforts are underway to combat the spread of Mpox, with outbreak response teams activated for the newly diagnosed cases. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has received over 130 test requests since the Mpox outbreak in South Africa. The DoH urges all contacts of confirmed or suspected cases to collaborate with health workers during contact tracing, screening, and the 21-day monitoring period.

As part of the response plan, a new batch of Mpox-specific treatment (Tecovirimat) is anticipated to arrive in the country in the coming weeks. This initiative aligns with the expected rise in cases due to intensified contact tracing, risk communication, and community engagement activities in affected areas.

Common symptoms of Mpox include a rash lasting two to four weeks, fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. Individuals with suspected symptoms are advised to promptly seek evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment at the nearest healthcare facility rather than self-diagnosing and isolating.