Zimbabwe reports the first two MPox cases, following Zambia a week earlier

Zimbabwe has confirmed its first two Mpox cases, days after Zambia reported its first case. The cases, whose variants have not been identified, were discovered in people who came from or traveled to Tanzania and South Africa.

The cases in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare and the southern city of Mberengwa were discovered in a child who developed symptoms after a trip to South Africa last month and in a 24-year-old man who fell ill after a trip to Tanzania, the ministry said a statement, but without specifying which variants were recorded.

Both patients are recovering and contact tracing is underway, said the statement signed by Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora, in which he said the “situation is under control” and urged the public “not to panic.”

Neighboring Zambia reported its first case last week without disclosing the strain.

The Ministry of Health reported on Thursday it had detected MPox in a 32-year-old Tanzanian man who arrived in Zambia in early September and developed symptoms in early October.

“Given the patient’s extensive travel history and interactions at multiple locations in Zambia, there is an increased risk of local transmission and possible cross-border spread,” the Ministry of Health said.

More than 800 people have died from the virus, which typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. It is usually mild but can be fatal, especially in children.

(with Reuters)

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