Zuko Komisa

The Department of Health reported that it has recorded three laboratory-confirmed instances of monkeypox (Mpox) in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
The first incident was confirmed on 21 February 2025, in a 30-year-old male patient residing in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng with a recent travel history to Kampala, Uganda.
“The patient was diagnosed with Clade I mpox virus, which is currently circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda and has been reported in travellers returning to many locations around the globe.
“The other two cases, a 30-year-old male and a 27-year-old female, also from Ekurhuleni, were detected through contact tracing and monitoring conducted by outbreak response teams,” said department spokesperson Foster Mohale.
All individuals who have experienced any of the symptoms, have traveled to countries or regions where Mpox outbreaks are occurring, or have had intimate contact with known Mpox patients are encouraged to seek medical attention, the government said.
“The country has limited stock of Mpox specific vaccines for treatment of patients who experience severe health complications as a result of this disease.
“Safer sex and personal hygiene practices are amongst the most effective preventative methods to control further spread of the disease. People are therefore reminded to always wash hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or after using the toilet,” department spokesperson Foster Mohale added.
Public health concerns about Mpox’s prevalence in South Africa have persisted.
Health officials became more vigilant in 2024 when a rise of Mpox cases occurred in South Africa.
Notably, incidents have been documented in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng provinces.
Coordination of the response has been spearheaded by the National Department of Health, collaborating with agencies such as the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
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