Second monkeypox case registered in South Africa
The Health Department has called for vigilance and practise of good hygiene after South Africa recorded a second monkeypox case.
This after a 32-year-old man from Cape Town with no travel history was diagnosed with the virus on Tuesday.
The country recorded its first case in Johannesburg last week.
READ: Monkeypox arrives in SA: What you need to know
Health spokesperson Foster Mohale says the second case suggests that there is high possibility of local transmission.
He says while monkeypox is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illness, the situation is slowly evolving as more cases are being recorded.
"The source and linkage of cases remain under investigation and the Department of Health, working together with the NICD, constantly assess the risk for local transmission in collaboration with the WHO in line with the International Health Regulations.
"The health officials will continue with contact tracing while closely monitoring the situation and alert clinicians on symptoms to look for, and if clinical picture fits with monkeypox, they are urged to complete case investigation form and send samples to testing."
ALSO READ: NICD: Anyone susceptible to monkeypox
Members of the public who experience symptoms similar to monkeypox are urged to report to their nearest healthcare facility for early detection and treatment.
MORE ON ECR
