Langa Mabena
Talent Gore
HEALTH and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora yesterday confirmed two cases of Mpox in the country and the two individuals are currently in isolation.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing, Dr Mombeshora said the two were currently in isolation.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care wishes to inform the nation that Zimbabwe now has two (2) confirmed cases of Mpox: one in Harare and another in Mberengwa,” he said.
“Both cases are in isolation at home, and are receiving appropriate care.”
Dr Mombeshora said both cases are stable and recovering.
“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, developed symptoms on the 23rd of September 2024,” he said.
“He is currently in isolation at home and is no longer infectious. Seven (7) contacts have since been identified and are being monitored.”
“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.
“He is currently in isolation at home and is no longer infectious, contact tracing and monitoring is underway.”
He added “The Ministry of Health and Child Care wishes to reassure the public that the situation is under control and urges the Zimbabwean public not to panic. “
Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) was declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security by Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) on the 13th of August 2024.
“It was then 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
Online Reporter