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Health Department warns number of mpox cases rising in SA
Health Department warns number of mpox cases rising in SA

The Citizen

time6 hours ago

  • Health
  • The Citizen

Health Department warns number of mpox cases rising in SA

Cases have recently been recorded in Gauteng and the Western Cape. Two more cases of Mpox have been detected in South Africa. Picture: iStock The Health Department has warned that the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox is gradually rising in the country. It comes after two cases have recently been recorded in Gauteng and the Western Cape. Confirmed cases This increases the total cumulative number of confirmed cases to ten since the beginning of the year The two new cases include a 32-year-old and a 45-year-old patient from Cape Town and Johannesburg. Health department spokesperson Foster Mohale said they are embarking on a vaccination drive against mpox amid the increase in the number of cases. 'The vaccination programme will target the most affected provinces, which currently include Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). ALSO READ: Health department calls for calm as Mpox declared public health emergency Vaccinations Mohale said both patients have not travelled out of the country. 'Vaccination helps to control the spread of this preventable and manageable disease, with vaccinated individuals being protected from becoming infected and from developing severe complications. 'Members of the public are urged to be extra vigilant of mpox symptoms, and those who suspect that they are at risk of mpox infection are advised to consult their nearest health facility or healthcare provider for screening and testing, and to find out if they are eligible for this life-saving vaccination,' Mohale said. Priority Mohale added that priority will be given to people at a higher risk of contracting the virus. 'This includes those who came into close contact with people who tested positive, people with multiple sexual partners and travellers going to areas where there is an outbreak of mpox. Where indicated, vaccination will be offered to pregnant women and children older than 2 years. Mohale said the department received around 10 500 doses of the mpox vaccine, Imvanex as a donation from the Africa Centres for Disease Control through the Access and Allocation Mechanism for Mpox, in an effort to combat the various mpox outbreaks in the African continent. Mpox Mpox is typically a mild and self-limiting disease with a low case fatality rate. The risk of wider transmission remains low in South Africa, but anyone can contract mpox regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation and race. 'Common side effects that might be experienced following immunisation include pain, redness, swelling and itching at the injection site; muscle pain; headache; nausea; and fever,' Mohale said. 'However, most side effects disappear on their own within a few days without treatment. These side effects can be managed by having enough rest, staying hydrated and taking medication to manage pain, if needed'. The virus is generally asymptomatic and treatable, but not curable. ALSO READ: Health dept says 'ongoing local transmission of mpox' in Gauteng as more cases reported

EXCLUSIVE: EU seeks defence cooperation for future health emergencies
EXCLUSIVE: EU seeks defence cooperation for future health emergencies

Euractiv

time07-07-2025

  • Health
  • Euractiv

EXCLUSIVE: EU seeks defence cooperation for future health emergencies

ATHENS – The Commission is seeking close cooperation with EU defence ministers as part of a new medical countermeasures plan to address future health crises, according to a document seen by Euractiv. The strategy, due to be presented in July, lays out how the EU can respond more quickly and effectively to future pandemics or health emergencies resulting from chemical or biological warfare. It focuses on medical countermeasures or anything that can help protect or treat people during a health crisis. These measures cover a broad range of tools, including vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks. The plan is built around three main goals: spotting threats early, making sure countries have enough medical supplies, and speeding up the development of new treatments, especially in the face of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Prioritising threats The strategy calls for the development of a 'robust intelligence system' to detect emerging health threats, alongside a new EU-wide IT platform dubbed 'ATHINA,' designed to track emergency supply chains and integrate with national systems. The first wave of priorities includes respiratory viruses, like COVID-19, and contact-based viruses such as Mpox. Next are vector-borne diseases or animal reservoir viruses with epidemic potential (such as malaria, which is transmitted by mosquitoes), followed by infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to antimicrobials. In the EU, an estimated 35,000 people die each year due to AMR, and despite the scale of the crisis, the pharmaceutical sector has shown little interest in developing new antibiotics due to weak financial incentives. With the new strategy, the Commission hopes to fix this by offering accelerated funding to develop innovative antibiotics that will be effective 'at a moment when others fail,' an EU diplomat told Euractiv in Athens. The EU's proposed plan to boost the production of essential medicines, such as antibiotics and painkillers – the Critical Medicines Act – is also expected to fit into the strategy. In parallel, the document stresses the need for clear, science-based public communication to counter misinformation around health emergencies, and urges member states to build a 'strong and resilient healthcare workforce." Armed conflicts The draft strategy expands preparedness for medical emergencies linked to armed conflicts. While exact plans for medical countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) will remain classified, the document references scenarios involving deadly biological agents, such as viruses or bacteria, and chemical warfare agents, like sarin. Sarin was used in the Ghouta chemical attack by forces of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during Syria's civil war. Central to implementing the strategy is enhanced civilian-military cooperation. The Commission states that it will initiate a dialogue with defence ministries to explore practical ways to improve interoperability. By 2026, the executive is set to present the Medifence initiative, which will aim to boost EU capabilities in dealing with CBRN threats and conflict-linked crises. Cooperation with NATO's Joint Health Group and the Committee of Chiefs of Military Medical Services is also foreseen. The 'accelerator' The document outlines that the Commission will take on a 'strong role' in future stockpiling procurements and will facilitate the distribution and joint procurement of vaccines and other medical countermeasures among member states. A new Medical Countermeasures Accelerator – to be launched by the end of 2025 – will serve as a one-stop shop for companies developing health technologies. It will provide a simplified funding framework to help companies access various financial tools, from grants and loans to venture capital. (mm)

Ozamiz City logs first mpox case
Ozamiz City logs first mpox case

GMA Network

time21-06-2025

  • Health
  • GMA Network

Ozamiz City logs first mpox case

An undated colorized transmission electron micrograph of mpox virus particles (pink) found within an infected cell (yellow), cultured in the laboratory, captured at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. NIAID/ Handout via REUTERS Health authorities have confirmed the first positive case of mpox in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, Mayor Indy Oaminal said in a press release on Friday, June 20, 2025. The patient, who sought medical attention at the Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center, is currently in isolation and recovering well. He presented himself voluntarily for a check-up after experiencing symptoms. The City Health Office (CHO) has launched contact tracing efforts immediately to prevent the possible spread of the disease. Individuals identified as close contacts are now being monitored pursuant to the health protocols set by the Department of Health (DOH). Oaminal urged the public not to panic, noting that the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine has confirmed that the mpox strain is Clade II, the milder and self-limiting form of the virus. However, residents are still urged to remain vigilant and report to the nearest health facility if they experience symptoms such as a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle aches, or back pain. The public is also reminded to practice proper hygiene such as regular handwashing, the use of close-fitting masks in public, and avoiding skin-to-skin contact. "Even if the strain is not deadly, we cannot be complacent. Please remain vigilant and practice the prescribed self-protection measures against the virus. At the first sign of symptoms related to Mpox, immediately proceed to the health facility nearest you," Oaminal said. — GMA Regional TV

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