A second death was reported in South Africa this week from the mpox virus (formerly monkeypox), the country's Department of Health said today, less than 24 hours after reporting the first death from the viral infection.
The second death was a 38-year-old man. He was admitted to hospital in KwaZulu-Natal with a rash, headache, fatigue, mouth ulcers, muscle pain and sore throat. Yesterday, Wednesday, he tested positive for mpox.
“Sadly, the patient died in KwaZulu-Natal on the same day he tested positive,” Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said. The total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of the disease is six and the number of deaths is two, since the first case was reported five weeks ago.
MPox is transmitted through physical contact. Most cases have mild symptoms, but the infection can be fatal.
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