South Africa reports second mpox death this week

[June 13, 2024]  JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -A second person has died in South Africa this week from the viral infection mpox, the health ministry said on Thursday, less than 24 hours after it announced the first death.

The second person who died was a 38-year-old man. He was admitted to a hospital in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province with extensive lesions, headache, fatigue, oral ulcers, muscle pain and a sore throat. He tested positive for mpox on Wednesday.

"The patient has unfortunately demised in KZN the same day his test results came back positive," spokesperson for the national health department Foster Mohale said.

The total number of laboratory-confirmed mpox cases stands at six, with two deaths since the first case was recorded five weeks ago.

Mpox spreads through close physical contact. Most cases are mild but it can kill.

South Africa's Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla looks on during the visit of the World Health Organization's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Cape Town, South Africa, February 11, 2022. REUTERS/Shelley Christians/File Photo

(Reporting by Tannur AndersEditing by Alexander Winning)

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