What Are the Latest Developments in Mozambique's Mpox Cases?

Maputo, July 16 (NationPress) Authorities in Mozambique have reported three additional cases of mpox, previously referred to as monkeypox, as confirmed by Inocencio Impissa, the spokesperson for the Council of Ministers.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Impissa stated that the individuals affected are three Mozambican nationals who had traveled between Mozambique and neighboring Malawi, with the cases identified in Niassa province, located in northern Mozambique.

"The government has taken measures to place these individuals in quarantine for monitoring in an isolated environment, thus preventing any further spread of the virus. The health authorities are on high alert and are ensuring that the cases remain contained within Lago District, Niassa, to prevent transmission to other regions," Impissa informed during the press conference held in Beira, Sofala province, where the Council of Ministers convened.

With the addition of these three cases, the confirmed total of mpox cases in Mozambique has now reached 11, according to health officials.

Mozambique first detected mpox cases in 2022, specifically in the capital city, Maputo, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

The World Health Organization defines mpox as an infectious disease that can lead to symptoms such as a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, muscle pains, backaches, and fatigue. While most individuals recover fully, some may experience severe illness.

Transmission of mpox occurs primarily through close contact with an infected individual, including household members. This close contact encompasses skin-to-skin interactions (like touching or sexual contact) and mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin exchanges (such as kissing). Additionally, being in close proximity to someone with mpox can result in the spread of infectious respiratory droplets.

Individuals with multiple sexual partners are at an elevated risk of contracting mpox.

Moreover, mpox can be transmitted through contaminated items like clothing, through needle injuries in healthcare settings, or in communal environments such as tattoo parlors.

During pregnancy or childbirth, the virus can be transmitted to the infant, posing significant risks including miscarriage, stillbirth, or complications for both the newborn and the parent.

The mpox virus was first identified in Denmark in 1958 in monkeys used for research purposes. The initial human case of mpox was recorded in 1970 involving a nine-month-old boy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Following the global eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the cessation of smallpox vaccinations, mpox cases began to rise in central, eastern, and western Africa. Since then, sporadic cases have been documented across these regions.

In 2003, an outbreak in the United States was traced back to imported wildlife. Since 2005, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported thousands of cases annually. In 2017, mpox re-emerged in Nigeria and continues to circulate among individuals in the country and travelers heading elsewhere.