PRETORIA – Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla is set to hold a media briefing on Wednesday at Tshedimosetso House to discuss the recent Mpox outbreak and the government's response. This follows the identification of new Mpox cases in Durban's Addington and St Augustine Hospitals, bringing attention to the spread of the disease in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

According to South African Government News Agency, Dr. Phaahla will present the strategies developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and other key stakeholders to mitigate the outbreak and prevent further fatalities. The briefing will also include insights from senior managers within the department and experts on infectious diseases.

Last week, health authorities detected two additional cases of Mpox at prominent hospitals in Durban, and two infections were previously recorded last month in Durban and Gauteng. The upcoming briefing aims to address these developments and outline the preventative measures being enacted.

Mpox symptoms typically include a two to four-week duration rash that appears as blisters or sores, potentially affecting various body parts including the face, hands, and genital regions. Other common symptoms reported are fever, headaches, muscle and back pain, low energy, and swollen glands.

The media event is scheduled for 12 June 2024, starting at 10 AM, at the department’s headquarters on Francis Baard Street in Pretoria’s Hatfield area.