A second person has died from monkey pox in South Africa, the health minister has announced, less than 24 hours after the country's first death from the virus was reported.
The two men, aged 37 and 38, were tested and shown to have died as a result of the virus, said minister Joe Phaahla.
Mr Phaahla said that six cases had now been recorded in the country this year - two in Gauteng, and four in KwaZulu-Natal.
They were all classed as severe and required hospitalisation.
All diagnosed men were aged between 30 and 39, who had not been to other countries experiencing an outbreak - suggesting that the disease was being transmitted locally.
Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a viral infection transmitted through close contact.
Initial symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain, aching muscles, which can develop into a rash.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency over an outbreak of mpox in 2022. Although this ended last year, low levels of cases are still being reported in some countries.
"One death is too many, especially from a preventable and manageable disease," Mr Phaahla said on Wednesday, urging those with suspected symptoms to seek medical attention and help trace contacts.
Mr Phaahla said the six diagnosed patients had pre-existing immuno-deficiencies and had contracted the disease since the start of May.
He noted that the virus has been reported in over 100 countries since 2022.
Two of those infected have been allowed to go home, while two remain in hospital.
Anyone who came into contact with a fatality will be monitored for 21 days.
The first human case was reported in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, and the disease remains endemic there, according to the WHO.
Latest Stories
-
We’ll establish fiscal council to rein in excessive borrowing – Finance Minister
6 mins -
Mortuary workers issue fresh strike threat
10 mins -
‘Lapses in banking system are not unique’ – John Awuah on managing fraud in Ghana’s Banks
18 mins -
Bawumia confident of victory in 2024 election
52 mins -
Strengthening audit institutions essential for tackling fiscal mismanagement – Domelevo
1 hour -
Healthy Aging: The Role of the Gut Microbiome and How Diet Can Help
1 hour -
Seek medical care, diagnosis for breast cancer – Dr Abiti to women
1 hour -
Hardship: Men now collect marriage list from different families to get cheapest – Report
1 hour -
‘If you’re looking for trouble, you’ll get it,’ Falz tells VeryDarkMan
1 hour -
Paramount Chief of Avenor grateful to NPP, calls for completion of Agenda 111 project
2 hours -
Bawumia commissions ultramodern office complex for Ho Municipal Assembly
2 hours -
Bawumia declares NPP’s infrastructure record unmatched
2 hours -
Importers face duty on Electric Vehicles despite gov’t’s exemption promises
2 hours -
4 additional Democracy Hub protesters discharged
2 hours -
Election 2024: Alan Kyerematen lacks a message – Hassan Ayariga
2 hours