Zimbabwe Confirms Two Cases of Mpox
Two cases are of persons who have known history of having travelled to South Africa and Tanzania respectively.
Zimbabwe Confirms Two Cases of Mpox
INFORMATION RELATING TO THE SITUATION OF MPOX IN ZIMBABWE AS OF 13 0CTOBER 2024.
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. Both cases are in isolation at home, and are receiving appropriate care. Both cases are stable and recovering.
Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) was deciared 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 Worid 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.
Here 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 10h of September 2024. He developed symptoms on the 23rtd of September 2024. 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 14h of September 2024 and came back on the 21 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.
Zimbabwe Confirms Two Cases of Mpox
Equally, the publc is also promptiy urged to report suspected cases to the nearest health facility. The health and safety of our communities remains our top priority. For more information, please ontact Proincial Medical Directors, City Health Directors and the Department of Epidemiology and Disease Contral HQ.
South Africa to Screen Travellers for Monkeypox
The Ministry has also placed all its structures on high alert, including at all ports of entry.
Preparedness and Response activities
- M-pox preparedness and response plan is now in place and has been shared widely.
- Activation of the National and subnational Incident Management Systems has been done.
- Training of health care workers on Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) is on-going.
- Conducting awareness campaigns in the provinces to ensure that the community is well informed on M-pox.
- Information Education and Communication (IEC) material has been developed and is being distributed.
- Enhanced surveillance at all the Ports of Entry including monitoring of travelers coming into the country.
- Enhanced community-based surveillance systems are in place.
- Identification and establishment of isolation centres throughout the country is underway.
- The Ministry will continue to update the nation through regular press briefings as the situation evolves.
HON. DR. D.T. MOMBESHORA
MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE
