First monkeypox case confirmed in SA

Johannesburg – Health Minister Joe Phaahla has just confirmed that a case of monkeypox has been detected in South Africa.

Monkeypox is a virus transmitted to humans from animals.

There’s been an outbreak of the virus in various countries around the world.

South Africa’s monkeypox patient zero is a 30-year-old man from Johannesburg.

“I received a report from the National Health Laboratory Services CEO that they have confirmed through laboratory tests the first case of monkeypox in South Africa,” said Phaahla.

“The patient is a 30-year-old male from Johannesburg who has no travel history, meaning that this cannot be attributed to having been acquired outside South Africa. Working with the relevant health authorities, a process of contact tracing has begun.”