Zimbabwe Reports Two Confirmed Cases of Mpox
Zimbabwe has confirmed two cases of mpox in individuals who recently traveled to South Africa and Tanzania.
Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora announced on Sunday that both cases are stable, no longer infectious, and are being managed at home. “Both cases are in isolation at home and are receiving appropriate care,” he stated, as reported by Xinhua.
The first case involves an 11-year-old boy who traveled to South Africa in August and returned to Zimbabwe on September 10. He began showing symptoms on September 23 and is currently isolated at home. Seven contacts have been identified and are under monitoring.
The second case is a 24-year-old male with a known travel history to Tanzania. He is also isolated at home and is no longer infectious, with contact tracing and monitoring underway.
Minister Mombeshora reassured the public that the situation is under control, urging citizens not to panic and to report any suspected cases to local health facilities.
In August, the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following the spread of a new variant, “clade 1b,” from Congo to neighboring African countries. This variant has raised concerns due to its potential for easier transmission through close contact.
Neighboring Zambia reported its first case last week but did not disclose the strain. Mpox generally causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. While it is usually mild, it can be fatal in some cases.
