By Dickson Bandera
The Ministry of Health and Child Care has announced two confirmed cases of Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) in Zimbabwe. One case is in Harare, while the other is in Mberengwa. Both individuals are stable and currently isolated at home, receiving appropriate care.
Mpox was declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security by the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) on 13 August 2024, followed by a declaration as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 14 August 2024. Across Africa, there have been 7,535 confirmed cases and 32 deaths reported in 2024.
The first case involves an 11-year-old boy who traveled to South Africa in August, returning to Zimbabwe on 10 September 2024. He developed symptoms on 23 September but is now isolated and no longer infectious. Seven contacts are being monitored.
The second case is a 24-year-old man who traveled to Tanzania, returning on 21 September 2024. He showed symptoms on 29 September and is also in isolation, with contact tracing currently underway.
“The Ministry urges the public to remain vigilant and report any symptoms to health authorities to help contain the outbreak,” said the Health Minister Hon Douglas Mombeshora.