Zimbabwe has confirmed its first two cases of mpox, with a young boy in Mberengwa and a man in Harare testing positive after recent travels. Both patients are recovering well, and the government has initiated contact tracing to contain the outbreak. Health minister Douglas Mombeshora reassured the public that the situation is under control and urged people not to panic.
Public health experts emphasize the need for intensified disease surveillance at ports of entry to prevent further spread. Itai Rusike of the Community Working Group on Health urges the public to stay informed and vigilant, as seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. Zambia and South Africa have also reported cases, with WHO declaring mpox a global public health emergency.
Zimbabwe is working closely with WHO to combat the outbreak, with a focus on awareness campaigns, testing, surveillance, and contact tracing. While mpox typically presents mild symptoms, severe cases can be fatal. It is crucial for Zimbabwe to prioritize containment measures and tighten border controls to prevent the spread of the disease.
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