Explosion in Mopox infections in Mozambique, now totalling 67 cases, with 921 individuals under suspicion

Mpox, a zoonotic viral disease first identified in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been making headlines in Mozambique recently. Since the first case was reported in October 2022, the country has seen a total of 921 suspect cases, with 67 confirmed cases as of the latest update on August 29.

The National Directorate of Public Health (DNSP) at the Ministry of Health (MISAU) is the organisation responsible for conducting Mpox tests in Mozambique. Over the past three years, the laboratory capacity to diagnose Mpox has increased across all provinces in Mozambique due to coordinated regional efforts, including cross-border meetings with neighbouring countries like Malawi and Tanzania, and active surveillance and prevention measures in response to increasing cases.

As of now, 77,458 cases of Mpox have been notified in 22 countries worldwide, with 501 deaths. However, Mozambique has yet to report any fatalities from Mpox. The current outbreak in southern Africa has resulted in 67 confirmed cases in Mozambique, with 32 recoveries.

One new case was registered in the last 24 hours in Maputo, the capital city, bringing the total to 4 in the city. Besides Maputo, 60 cases have been reported in Niassa, and 3 in Manica.

To prevent the spread of Mpox, Mozambican authorities have reinforced border vigilance last week. This move aims to ensure that travellers are screened for the disease and that proper measures are taken to quarantine and treat those who test positive.

The National Director of Public Health in Mozambique has asked the public to avoid panic and misinformation regarding Mpox. He emphasised the importance of following health guidelines, such as washing hands regularly, wearing masks, and maintaining social distancing, to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.

Mozambique expects to receive vaccines in September to help contain the spread of Mpox. Almost 800 tests have been used for Mpox in Mozambique during this outbreak, and the country has a testing capacity of 4,000 local tests for Mpox. Furthermore, Mozambique has 1,000 tests for reagent analyzes to identify strains of positive Mpox cases.

In conclusion, while the Mpox outbreak in Mozambique is a cause for concern, the country's health authorities are taking proactive measures to contain the spread of the disease. The public is encouraged to stay informed, follow health guidelines, and avoid spreading misinformation to ensure the safety of all citizens.

Explosion in Mopox infections in Mozambique, now totalling 67 cases, with 921 individuals under suspicion