Cape Times E-dition

IDENTIFYING MONKEYPOX IN SA TOOK LONG- EXPERT

SIPHOKAZI VUSO AND CHEVON BOOYSEN

THE country’s overstretched health-care system could be in for another disease outbreak after a monkeypox case was confirmed in a 30-year-old Joburg man with no recent travel history.

The first case was made public yesterday at the time the government scrapped the remaining Covid-19 curbs, including the wearing of masks, restricted gatherings and international travel.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed that contact tracing had started to identify any additional linked cases of monkeypox in South Africa.

NICD spokesperson Sinenhlanhla Jimoh said: “Monkeypox is a rare viral infection in humans.

“Since May 2022, monkeypox has been reported in more than 3 000 individuals from several European countries, the US, Canada, Australia, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

“This is the first multi-country outbreak of monkeypox and is already the largest outbreak of monkeypox recorded.

“The cases to date mostly involve individuals that self-identify as men having sex with men.

“Risk factors include reporting multiple sexual partners.

“Recent large social events are thought to have served as super-spreader events.”

The virus can be transmitted to others through close contact such as kissing, cuddling, or touching parts of the body with monkeypox lesions (wound).

People who do not have monkeypox symptoms cannot spread the virus to others.

“Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The virus is not very contagious and does not spread in the same way as viruses such as influenza and SARSCoV2,” said the NICD.

Monkeypox presents with an acute illness characterised by fever and general flu-like symptoms followed by an eruption of blister-like rash on the skin.

Stellenbosch University head of the division of infectious diseases Dr Jantjie Taljaard said he was just “surprised” that it took so long to positively identify a case of monkeypox in the country.

Taljaard said there were various reasons how the man could have contracted the virus.

“But most likely this person had contact with someone who travelled.

“Alternatively, the virus has circulated in the country for longer than we think and we are only now identifying them due to the heightened awareness and increased laboratory testing,” said Taljaard.

Enquiries to the provincial government on their readiness plan against the spread of monkeypox had been referred to the Department of Health and wellness but had not been answered by deadline.

The developments come as the country has exited the recent fifth wave of Covid-19, leading to the repealing of restrictions.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla said: “We have been monitoring the epidemic working with the NICD and the current epidemiological analysis points towards lower infection rates and that the coun

have the assets of the suspects kept in government’s possession.

While Namibia maintains such a request was ignored by South Africa, the local Justice Department has vehemently denied it exists.

Asked whether the two leaders would discuss the scandal, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya would only say: “We will issue an advisory at an appropriate time once the details have been confirmed.”

Namibian Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO) executive director, Penda Naanda said the session will review cooperation in a wide range of areas including diplomatic, legal, economic, social, defence and security.

The two countries were also expected to consider and sign new bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding.

“Since the transformation of the Heads of State Economic Forum into the BNC (Bi-National Commission) in November 2012, the BNC, co-chaired by the presidents of Namibia and South Africa, has provided an impetus to further enhance bilateral co-operation, as well as a platform to exchange views on issues of mutual interest and concern at the regional and multilateral forums,” said Naanda.

The Namibia – South Africa BNC will start with a senior officials session, co-chaired by Naanda and director-general in the Department of International Relations and Co-operation Zane Dangor.

The ministerial session will be chaired by Namibian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Netumbo NandiNdaitwah, and co-chaired by South African Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Naledi Pandor.

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2022-06-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://capetimes.pressreader.com/article/281543704603394

African News Agency