South Africans encouraged to be vigilant as new M-Pox variant spreads

South Africans have been encouraged to be more vigilant as the new M-Pox variant is said to be highly infectious.

Unlike the first variant that was transmitted mainly through sexual contact, skin-to-skin contact and sharing items like bedding and clothing, Clade 1b can be transmitted through touching, coughing, sneezing and mucus.

So far, the new M-Pox variant has been reported in seven African countries, including South Africa where some of the patients had recently travelled to Uganda.

Infectious Diseases Expert at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, Dr Lior Chernick, says they have found that the new variant also affects children.

“We have this Clade 2b the historical outbreak from 2022. We still see occasional cases all over the world. That was predominantly male. There are cases of females who were infected, many of whom were associated with sexual contact. Whilst Clade 1b, think of that one more like chicken pox. In the sense that it is closer contact to the people that had lesions that are open, and touching. So for Clade 1b we seem to see an equal male and female dominance. We also seem to see it in younger people because obviously, kids and hygiene.”

Mpox is an infectious disease that causes a painful rash and fever. Most people fully recover, others will get very sick and in some cases it can lead to fatalities.

Chernick says hand sanitiser could help reduce the risk of infection.

“70% ethanol hand rub is effective for hand hygiene as it is for other viruses. It does disrupt the spread and it’s effective for disinfection of hands. So alcohol hand rub is a good choice.”

Chernick says for the first time they have seen that M-Pox affected children, and it could be attributed to poor hygiene.

The Gauteng Health Department has committed to prepare all their hospitals to be ready to deal with M-Pox cases.

“It is important that we have a plan in place so that all the facilities have isolations identified. We are talking about an outbreak here where tomorrow we can end up having an increasing number of cases. So every facility is going to manage its own case,” explains Infection Prevention and Control Manager at Gauteng Health, William Malebate.

Currently, Charlotte Maxeke and the Steve Biko Academic hospitals are the two facilities that have been identified to deal with M-Pox related cases.