As cases of Mpox continue to rise, the Department of Health confirmed that it has received the first batch of medicine to treat severe cases.

The total of cases reported now stands at 13 and those with symptoms are being urged to get tested for the virus.

According to the department’s spokesperson Foster Mohale seven of the cases were confirmed in KwaZulu-Natal, five in Gauteng and one in the Western Cape.

“The Department of Health has received a batch of Mpox-specific treatment, Tecovirimat (also known as TPOXX or ST-246), which is for treating patients who experience severe health complications as a result of poxMPox disease.”

Mohale said the process to secure more treatment, including vaccines, is underway in case the need arises.

“The department urges all people, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, with suspected Mpox symptoms or who had physical contact with known cases to present themselves at the healthcare facility for clinical evaluation because anyone can contract this preventable and treatable disease.”

He added all mild cases however will continue to be managed with supportive treatment used to manage complications like fever, pneumonia and skin infections.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said anyone can get Mpox. It spreads from contact with infected:

• persons, through touch, kissing, or sex
• animals when hunting, skinning, or cooking them
• materials, such as contaminated sheets, clothes or needles
• pregnant persons who may pass the virus on to their unborn baby.

Symptoms

Mpox causes signs and symptoms, which usually begin within a week but can start 1–21 days after exposure. Symptoms typically last 2–4 weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system.

Common symptoms of Mpox are:

• rash
• fever
• sore throat
• headache
• muscle aches
• back pain
• low energy
• swollen lymph nodes.

For some people, the first symptom of Mpox is a rash, while others may have different symptoms first.

The WHO said the rash begins as a flat sore, which develops into a blister filled with liquid and may be itchy or painful. As the rash heals, the lesions dry up, crust over and fall off.

Some people may have one or a few skin lesions, and others may have hundreds or more. These can appear  anywhere on the body, such as:

• palms of hands and soles of feet
• face, mouth and throat
• groin and genital areas
• anus

Some people also have painful swelling of their rectum or pain and difficulty when urinating.