Zimbabwe Ministry of Health- Two cases of monkeypox confirmed in the country for the first time

On October 13, local time, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health reported the country’s first confirmed cases of monkeypox, involving two patients with recent travel histories abroad, according to Reuters.

One of the affected individuals is an 11-year-old boy residing in the capital, Harare, who developed symptoms after returning from a trip to South Africa. The other is a 24-year-old man living in the southern town of Mberengwa, who showed symptoms following his visit to Tanzania.

Both patients are currently self-isolating at home and receiving appropriate care, while health authorities are tracing their close contacts.

Although the specific strains of the monkeypox virus that infected these individuals have not been disclosed, the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health reassured the public that the situation is under control and that there is no need for alarm.

In related news, neighboring Zambia has also reported its first confirmed case of monkeypox.

On August 14, the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” Concerns have been raised regarding a new strain of the monkeypox virus, termed “branch Ib,” detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring African countries.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, with common clinical symptoms including rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, and muscle aches. While symptoms typically resolve within a few weeks, severe cases can lead to complications or even death.

The monkeypox virus can spread through close human contact, such as touching the skin of an infected person, conversing in close proximity, or inhaling respiratory droplets. It can also be contracted through contact with bodily fluids from infected animals, bites, scratches, or contaminated objects.