Mpox hits Zim

Patricia Mashiri

Zim Now Reporter

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora has confirmed that two cases of Monkey Pox -Mpox -both linked to recent travel history have been recorded in Zimbabwe.

Dr Mombeshora did not elaborate on which strain(s) for either case. Two main strains have been identified with one strongly linked to sexual transmission.

Addressing media in Harare, Dr Mombeshora said the infected indicases are currently stable and in isolation at home in Harare and Mberengwa.

“In Zimbabwe, Case number 1 is an 11-year-old male child with a known history of having travelled to South Africa in August 2024, returning to Zimbabwe on the 10th of September 2024. He developed symptoms on the 23rd of September 2024,” said Dr Mombeshora.

“Case number 2 is a 24-year-old male with a known history of having travelled to Tanzania on the 14th of September 2024 and came back on the 21st of September 2024. He developed symptoms on the 29th of September 2024,” said Dr Mombeshora.

He also said that both individuals are no longer infectious and contact tracing and monitoring is ongoing. Mpox manifests as a virulent rash with some sources saying it is knows as gwembe in Shona.

Mpox was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) by World Health Organization (WHO) on the 14th of August 2024.

In Africa, there are 7535 confirmed cumulative cases of Mpox and 32 deaths reported so far in 2024.

According to WHO, Three vaccines are currently available for use to prevent mpox in different countries (MVA-BN, LC16-KMB, and OrthopoxVac - the latter not yet commercialized). WHO recommends use of MVA-BN or LC16 vaccines when the others are not available.

Quick Mpox Facts

· Mpox can cause a rash that looks like pimples or blisters

· Symptoms usually last 2 to 4 weeks

· Mpox can spread to anyone through close, personal contact

· Most cases of mpox don't need specific treatment, but some cases are treated with medicines

· A vaccine to prevent mpox is available

· Mpox is rarely fatal

What are the symptoms of mpox?

A rash is the most common symptom of mpox. The mpox rash:

· May be painful or itchy

· Begins as flat, red spots

· Turns into raised blisters that look like pimples

· Often starts on or near your genitals or in your mouth

· Can also be on your hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth

· Crusts and scabs over before healing

Other symptoms may occur before, during, or after the rash appears:

· Fever

· Chills

· Headache

· Muscle aches

· Backache

· Feeling extremely tired

· Swollen lymph nodes (sometimes called "swollen glands")

Symptoms may start 1 to 3 weeks after infection and the the virus can be spread from the time symptoms start. An infected person is considered no longer infectious once all lesions have crusted over, scabs have fallen off, and healthy skin appears where the scabs had been. This usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.