Maputo, 6 Aug (AIM) – The Mozambican health authorities have recorded two cases of the disease M-pox (formerly known as monkey pox) in the central province of Manica, which means that the country has now 31 confirmed cases of the disease.
This is the first time that Manica has diagnosed positive cases of the disease.
According to the daily update bulletin on M-pox, issued by the National Public Health Directorate, the total number of confirmed cases in the country has increased from 29 to 31. These two new cases in Manica were confirmed over the last 24 hours.
“During the period 11 July to 4 August, the two positive cases were identified in the districts of Chimoio and Machaze, both in Manica province”, said the report.
In addition to the new confirmed cases, 13 suspected cases were identified. The northern province of Niassa recorded six suspected cases; the southern Gaza province has one suspected case and the capital Maputo city has also recorded six suspected cases. These samples are still awaiting laboratory confirmation.
According to the document, since the outbreak began in July, “153 samples have been analyzed and 148 contacts have been traced. In the last 24 hours alone, 62 new contacts have been traced. A total of 58 suspected cases are being monitored, and no deaths have been reported.”
Of the 31 confirmed cases nationwide, 28 (92.3%) are in Niassa province, two in Manica province, and one in Maputo province. Currently, 18 positive cases are under clinical monitoring.
The Health Ministry has continued to call on people to redouble their preventive measures by avoiding physical contact with infected people or those with suspected symptoms, washing their hands frequently, and not sharing personal items such as clothes or towels.
M-pox is a viral disease, transmitted from animals to human beings, which was first identified in 1970, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The current outbreak in Africa has been reported in 22 countries. In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, the countries affected are the DRC, Angola, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and now Mozambique.
(AIM)
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