No need to panic over mpox outbreak: Prof. Puren

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says there is no need for panic in South Africa regarding the mpox outbreak.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the mpox outbreaks in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern.

The highly contagious disease has killed at least 450 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Three people have died in South Africa.

The Department of Health says the outbreak remains under control in South Africa.

Executive Director at the NICD, Professor Adrian Puren says, “At this time in South Africa, we should not be panicking- we certainly had about five cases in 2022, there were no cases reported in 2023 and currently we have 24 cases, three of whom have demised as a consequence of these infections. Within South Africa, there’s certainly been a great deal of preparation in different aspects, in order to try and limit the transmission in the country and these efforts certainly continue. It’s a multi-sectoral approach that involves mostly the National Department of Health, the provinces. In terms of Departments of Health, as well as other partners such as the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.”

Mpox Outbreak | No need to panic in South Africa: Prof. Adrian Puren