First Monkeypox death in South Africa puts Mozambique on high alert
The monkeypox virus has claimed the life of a man in the Gauteng province of South Africa on Monday, as announced by the South African Health Minister, Joe Phaahla. This incident has raised the alert level to maximum in neighbouring Mozambique, which is intensifying its surveillance measures and preparing for a potential outbreak.
In an exclusive interview with TORRE.News, Eduardo Samo Gudo, the Director-General of Mozambique's National Institute of Health (INS), confirmed that the country is on high alert due to its proximity to South Africa and the recent increase in the risk level. "We have been on alert since 2022, when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency due to a monkeypox outbreak. With this new fatal case, we have increased our level of readiness," said Samo Gudo.
Mozambique has so far reported only one case of monkeypox, dating back to 2022. However, the country has been strengthening its response capabilities, including the installation of adequate laboratory facilities for rapid testing and diagnosis. "The tests we routinely conduct within the national health system have returned negative results, which demonstrates our monitoring and response capacity," highlighted the INS official.
The situation in South Africa is worrying. In addition to the recent death, five other cases have been reported this year, three of which are in KwaZulu-Natal province and two in Gauteng. All cases have been classified as severe, requiring hospitalisation. South African health authorities are on high alert, and efforts to contain the spread of the virus are being intensified.
The initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, back and muscle pains, which can progress to characteristic skin rashes. Transmission of the virus occurs mainly through close contact with infected individuals or animals, and it is also possible through contact with contaminated objects, such as sheets or towels used by infected patients.
Mozambique is taking all necessary precautions to prevent an outbreak, including raising awareness among the population about the symptoms and modes of transmission of the disease. Health authorities recommend that in case of suspected infection, people should seek immediate medical attention and avoid close contact with others to prevent the spread of the virus.
Eduardo Samo Gudo concluded that despite the risk, Mozambique is prepared to face a possible monkeypox outbreak and that prevention and control measures are a top priority to protect the public health of the country.
