The Gauteng Department of Health reported having comprehensive measures in place to manage the Mpox outbreak following the confirmation of three cases earlier this month.
Mpox is a viral disease that can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, as well as a rash or skin lesions that may appear on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or other parts of the body.
Typically, the lesions first appear as flat red spots, then progress to bumps, followed by fluid-filled blisters, then pus-filled bumps, and finally turn into scabs. Symptoms usually manifest six to thirteen days after infection, although the range can be from five to twenty-one days.
A representative from the Gauteng Department of Health, Steve Mabona, stated that the department continues to monitor the situation and is strengthening preparedness measures across the province to ensure early detection, investigation, and proper management of any suspected or confirmed cases.
Outbreak response teams have been deployed in all five health districts and are supported by provincial-level leaders from infectious disease control, immunization, environmental health, prevention and infection control, health promotion, communications, and other relevant programs. Mpox cases are tracked daily through the notifiable diseases surveillance system to support early identification, notification, investigation, and follow-up of suspected and confirmed cases. Wastewater epidemiology is also used as an additional early warning mechanism.
Mabona noted: 'The department has contingency plans covering surveillance, case management, prevention and infection control, risk communication, coordination, resource mobilization, and clearly defined roles and responsibilities. The provincial risk calendar is also used to determine periods or circumstances of increased transmission risk and to guide facility preparedness, enhanced surveillance, and proactive response measures.'
The department is also continuously monitoring national and global Mpox trends, including changes in transmission patterns and the emergence of new variants, which allows the department to strengthen its response structures and public health measures as needed. Currently, Gauteng has a stock of 586 doses of the Mpox vaccine.
Mabona explained that vaccines are not stored permanently in clinics because they require specialized cold chain equipment at temperatures around -40°C. Therefore, vaccines are kept in specialized freezers at regional pharmacies, from where clinics can request them based on identified need. The National Department of Health has also been tasked with ensuring access to additional vaccine doses if necessary.
The department continues to conduct targeted awareness, prevention, and risk information campaigns across the province. These activities include educating and informing the public through clinics, public meetings, multimedia platforms, door-to-door campaigns, and public outreach programs.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant, recognize signs and symptoms, and seek medical attention promptly. Mabona added that the department collaborates with community leaders, traditional healers, religious organizations, civil society, NGOs, and other stakeholders to support the dissemination of accurate information.
The department stated that it will continue to closely monitor the situation, strengthen preparedness where necessary, and ensure the province's capacity to detect cases early, contain transmission, and scale up response measures if required.