Latest on Mpox: Student with symptoms tests negative
Reports emerged earlier last week that a grade one student from Hammanskraal in Tshwane had tested positive for Mpox.
The Department of Health has confirmed that the grade one student from Hammanskraal who showed symptoms of Mpox has tested negative for the virus.
This follows the department’s decision to collect samples for laboratory testing at the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD).
HAMMANSKRAAL GRADE ONE LEARNER TESTED NEGATIVE FOR MPOX
The Gauteng Department of Education had confirmed that a grade one learner from Iketleng Primary School in Hammanskraal tested positive for Mpox but later retracted the statement.
“Our initial statement was based on official correspondence received from the school. However, we may have acted prematurely in confirming the case without awaiting the final verification from the NICD. We apologise for any confusion or concern this may have caused,” Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said.
Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said the public should report to a healthcare facility when they experience any suspicious symptoms related to Mpox instead of self-diagnosing and isolating without laboratory confirmation.
“Working together as communities and health authorities, we can prevent unnecessary panic and avoidable stigma. The country has not recorded any new cases of Mpox for last week, which confirms that the situation is under control.
“However, this does not mean that we are off the hook or should lower our guard. And we cannot guarantee at the current moment that this infectious disease has been eradicated because it may re-emerge once severe cases present for healthcare,” Mohale said.
Mpox symptoms include an acute illness characterised by fever and general flu-like symptoms, followed by the eruption of a blister-like rash on the skin. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick, Mohale emphasised
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS THAT YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR?
Common symptoms of Mpox are:
- rash
- fever
- sore throat
- headache
- muscle aches
- back pain
- low energy
- swollen lymph nodes.
For some people, the first symptom of mpox is a rash, while others may have different symptoms first.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the rash begins as a flat sore, which develops into a blister filled with liquid and may be itchy or painful. As the rash heals, the lesions dry up, crust over and fall off.