South Africa has recorded its first confirmed death from Mpox, with the country's health minister, Joe Phaahla, announcing the unfortunate news. The victim, a 37-year-old man, succumbed to the virus on Monday after being admitted to a hospital in Gauteng province three days earlier.

Minister Phaahla revealed that all five cases recorded in the country this year, with one more in Gauteng and three in KwaZulu-Natal, were classified as severe and required hospitalization. Surprisingly, all the cases involved men aged between 30 and 39 who had not traveled to countries experiencing an outbreak, suggesting that the disease was being transmitted locally.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection spread through close contact. Initial symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain, and aching muscles, which can later develop into a rash. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously declared a public health emergency due to an outbreak of Mpox in 2022, although it was later ended. However, low levels of cases are still being reported in some nations.

Minister Phaahla emphasized the importance of prevention and managing the disease while expressing his concern over the loss of a life from a preventable illness. He urged individuals experiencing suspected symptoms to seek immediate medical attention and emphasized the need to trace their contacts.

The health minister disclosed that the five diagnosed patients had pre-existing immuno-deficiencies and had contracted the disease since the beginning of May. Out of the diagnosed cases, two individuals have been discharged and allowed to return home, while two remain hospitalized.

As a precautionary measure, anyone who had come into contact with the deceased patient will be closely monitored for 21 days. It is worth mentioning that the first human case of Mpox was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970 and remains endemic in the region, as confirmed by the WHO.

The South African government continues to closely monitor the situation and is taking necessary steps to prevent the further spread of Mpox. The public is advised to maintain good hygiene practices, seek immediate medical attention if symptomatic, and cooperate with health authorities in contact tracing efforts.