South Africa’s Mpox response yields positive results

SOUTH AFRICA—South Africa has announced that its multifaceted approach to controlling the Mpox outbreak has shown promising results since the government issued a set of temporary recommendations aimed at scaling up the emergency response.

Recent epidemiological data indicate a remarkable improvement in outbreak containment. Only one new case and no additional deaths have been reported since August 2, 2024, compared to the June peak of 12 cases and three deaths.

Although South Africa reported no Mpox cases in 2023, the disease resurfaced in recent months, with 25 laboratory-confirmed cases and three deaths recorded between May 8 and September 6, 2024. The majority of cases occurred in Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

Of these cases, 24 were attributed to local transmission, while one was imported.

These efforts followed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern in August 2024.

To enhance the coordination of its response, the National Department of Health established an Mpox Incident Management Team, bringing together experts from both the national and provincial levels and partners like WHO.

In June 2024, with WHO’s support, South African health authorities organized two remote webinars on the clinical management of Mpox cases.

These sessions trained over 500 healthcare workers and public health professionals, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle the outbreak effectively.

Provincial response teams have been activated to implement priority interventions in identified hotspots.

Additionally, rapid response teams have been deployed to bolster community surveillance and improve case management.

The government has also ramped up targeted public awareness campaigns to ensure that information about the outbreak reaches vulnerable populations.

WHO has played a crucial role in supporting these efforts by providing technical guidelines on Mpox treatment, which have helped ensure standardized patient care.

The organisation has also donated 35 treatment courses of tecovirimat, an antiviral medication used in treating severe Mpox cases alongside symptomatic and supportive care.

Furthermore, WHO is working to stockpile an additional 30 treatment courses for swift deployment should future cases emerge.

Commenting on this progress, Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the National Department of Health, stated that with the support of partners like WHO, South Africa has made significant strides in containing the Mpox outbreak.

However, Mohale cautioned against complacency, highlighting that viruses can mutate.

He stressed the need for continued vigilance, especially after a new Mpox case was recently detected in the Western Cape.

Looking ahead, South Africa is among 14 African countries set to receive financial support from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and WHO.

From September 2024 to February 2025, the country will receive funding to develop and implement vaccination strategies as part of the Mpox Continental Preparedness and Response Plan for Africa.

An estimated US$45.5 million of the U$600 million total budget will be allocated to South Africa, primarily for vaccine logistics.

Dr. Fabian Ndenzako, acting WHO Representative in South Africa, reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to assisting the country in containing the Mpox outbreak.

He praised the ongoing efforts to curb further transmission and effectively manage the public health crisis, particularly those targeting healthcare workers, communities, and high-risk populations. 

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