By Banele Magongo
MBABANE – Eswatini has recorded the first case of Mpox (Formerly Monkeypox) and the government have urged Emaswati to be vigilant.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Health a suspected case of Mpox has been recorded, of a 46-year-old male residing in the Shiselweni region. The patient was classified as a suspected case for Mpox after his symptoms fitted the case definition of a suspected Mpox case at Hlathikhulu Government Hospital.
According to the preliminary investigations report from the Public Health Emergency Committee, the patient has a history of travel to the Gauteng Province in South Africa.
It is said that the patient first presented with symptoms on July 2, 2024, with symptoms suggestive of the disease.
A team was established to respond to the notification and the investigations are still on-going. The patient has been put under isolation to prevent further spread of the symptoms. The investigating team will continue to conduct follow-up sessions with the suspected case and his contacts.
The Ministry of Health has urged members of the public to be vigilant for Mpox signs and symptoms and report to the nearest health facility immediately when suspected.
According nation has been warned that anyone presenting with a fever, muscle aches, sore throat and a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the whole body, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, should report immediately to their nearest health facility.
