Mpox alert: Western Cape traces contacts after cases linked to two gatherings - IOL

Health officials are tracing contacts after two Western Cape gatherings were linked to mpox cases.

Western Cape Health officials are trying to track down people who attended two gatherings in the province after people infected with mpox came into close contact with others.

The warning comes as the Western Cape accounts for 15 of South Africa’s 18 confirmed mpox cases, with most of the province’s infections recorded in Cape Town.

“There were two events, exposure events, that basically did lead to these Mpox cases,” Western Cape health department official Ednah Baloyi said.

Health teams are now tracing people who were at the gatherings, testing those who may have been exposed and making sure anyone who tests positive receives treatment.

“We are working very hard to make sure that those two clusters are, or rather the contacts that were involved in that exposure event are followed up, tested, and treated timeously when they’re found to be Mpox positive,” Baloyi said.

The new details come as health authorities try to stop further infections following a sharp increase in cases over the past month.

South Africa had recorded 18 confirmed cases and one probable case by September 17.

Thirteen cases were recorded between August 13 and September 17, an increase the National Department of Health said pointed to the virus being passed between people locally.

Those affected are between 23 and 50 years old.

Western Cape health officials are urging residents to watch for an unexplained rash, sores or skin lesions, particularly if they have been in close contact with someone who may have mpox.

Other symptoms can include fever, headaches, muscle aches and tiredness.

Mpox is mainly passed through close physical contact with an infected person, including contact with their skin lesions, scabs or body fluids.

The virus can also be picked up from items such as bedding, clothing and towels used by an infected person.

Anyone who develops symptoms has been advised to avoid close physical contact with others and seek medical attention.

Western Cape Health Chief Operating Officer Dr Saadiq Kariem said people who suspect they may have mpox should get medical help rather than wait for symptoms to worsen.

South Africa has also secured limited supplies of the MVA-BN mpox vaccine and the antiviral treatment Tecovirimat with support from the World Health Organization.

Vaccines are being given according to a person’s risk and whether they have been exposed to the virus, while people who test positive are advised to isolate until their skin lesions have healed.