Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
19 August 2024 | 09:00 CAT
2 min read

As the Mpox virus spreads across Africa, with over 15,000 confirmed cases in 16 countries, including 24 in South Africa, the government has intensified its efforts to curb the outbreak. The Department of Health has established an Incident Management Team, co-chaired by Professor Helen Rees and Aneliswa Cele, focusing on clinical, surveillance, communication, and port health interventions. Despite having the outbreak under control, the department remains on high alert for a potential surge in new cases and more contagious strains.

South Africa is negotiating with the WHO for vaccine access, with an estimated need for 40,000 doses. President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for expedited action to operationalise the African Epidemic Fund, emphasising the importance of global partnerships to ensure equitable access to resources. He also urged Western nations and international partners to release stockpiles of Mpox vaccines and medical countermeasures for Africa.

Speaking to Radio Islam world-renowned disease expert, Professor Helen Rees, who is the founder and Executive Director of Wits RHI, the largest research Institute in Faculty of Health Sciences highlighted that mpox is an evolving virus. “Once again mpox is changing the way it behaves. We have a virus that is evolving. We are getting cases in the households, additionally in the men having sex with men community, essentially people who are having a lot of sexual contact. We are worried about the outbreak in the African region, we are seeing a significant mortality,” she said.

Ramaphosa criticised the previous response, where resources were largely allocated to Western countries, and called for increased domestic resources and enhanced national response capacities in AU member states. He stressed the need for a fair Pandemic Agreement to ensure global equity in access to medical resources.

“Unlike Covid-19, it is spread through close contact. It is not like some of the severe diseases, like ebola, it is not fatal in the same way but for people whose immune system is weak, that’s when you can see some deaths. In South Africa, we have seen 3 deaths out of 24 cases but we think there are many more people in the community who have probably got mpox with few symptoms. The 24 represent the tip of a much bigger iceberg,” Prof Rees said.

She advises the public to stay alert, emphasising that Mpox is an infection that spreads through contact, including sexual contact. “If you notice a lesion and are concerned, go to a clinic for a blood test to determine if it’s Mpox,” she said.

Prof. Rees also notes that cases of chickenpox are circulating, so it’s important to differentiate between the two. “Panic doesn’t help and there is no need for panic,” she advised.

The WHO is currently working with countries and manufacturers to facilitate vaccine donations and ensure equitable access through the Medical Counter-measures Network. The public is urged to maintain hygiene and other preventive measures to support the country’s response efforts.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and world-renowned disease expert, Professor Helen Rees, here.