Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 12, 2024 5 months, 1 week, 3 days, 16 hours, 17 minutes ago
Mpox News: The South African healthcare system is urged to remain vigilant as new cases of Mpox (Monkeypox) might not exhibit the common skin lesions but rather internal mucosal lesions. This atypical presentation calls for heightened awareness among medical professionals and the general public.
Mpox may present without typical skin lesions, warns doctor
Shift in Severity Observed
Dr Richard Lessells, an infectious diseases specialist at the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, highlighted a noticeable shift in the severity of mpox cases in South Africa. Initially, most cases were severe, but recent instances have shown milder symptoms. He shared these insights during a webinar hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), alongside Professor Yunus Moosa, head of the department of infectious diseases, and Dr Nokukhanya Msomi, head of Virology at UKZN.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQzX6kPtjoM
Numerous mainstream media and also
Mpox News journalists were also invited to the webinar.
Current Mpox Statistics in South Africa
South Africa has reported 22 confirmed mpox cases spread across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Gauteng, and the Western Cape, with three deaths. All affected individuals are males aged between 17 and 43. Dr. Lessells noted a significant trend: most cases have been among men who have sex with men, many of whom are also living with HIV. He explained that the severity of the disease is often linked to advanced HIV, making these individuals more vulnerable to severe mpox manifestations.
It should be noted that the Mpox strain currently spreading in South Africa is different from the more lethal strain found in Congo.
Understanding Mpox Symptoms
Traditionally, mpox is recognized by its skin lesions or rash, accompanied by systemic symptoms. However, Dr Lessells emphasized that due to the mode of transmission, some cases might not exhibit external skin lesions. Instead, patients might present with mucosal lesions, which can be found internally.
"This is crucial for healthcare workers to understand," said Dr Lessells. "We need to be prepared for atypical presentations, such as rectal pain, anal rectal pain, oral ulceration, and oral pain. A wide range of medical specialists must be aware of these potential symptoms to ensure prompt and accurate diagnosis."
The Challenge of Milder Cases
Dr Lessells suggested that while the majority of detected cases have been severe, there are likely many milder cases that remain undetected. This underreporting poses a challenge for controlling the spread of the disease, especially among those with advanced HIV, where mpox can be particularly severe and concerning.
Risk Beyond Male Populations
Professor Moosa pointed out that altho
ugh mpox predominantly affects males, there is a risk to females and children through close skin-to-skin contact. "The infectious lesions must come into contact with the recipient's skin," he explained. "There has to be an entry point on the skin, like a cut or burn, for transmission to occur."
The Role of HIV in Mpox Severity
In early cases associated with advanced HIV disease, patients experienced large, ulcerating, necrotic lesions that took months to heal. This highlights the critical need for vigilance and proactive healthcare strategies in managing mpox among HIV-positive individuals.
Understanding the Mpox Virus
Dr Msomi added context about the mpox virus, noting that it belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox. This information underscores the importance of understanding and addressing mpox with the same level of seriousness historically associated with smallpox.
Call to Action for Healthcare Workers
The insights shared during the UKZN webinar underscore the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures in the healthcare community. With the potential for atypical presentations and the severe implications for those with advanced HIV, medical professionals across various specialties must be prepared to identify and treat mpox effectively.
Conclusion
As South Africa continues to grapple with mpox, understanding the full spectrum of its symptoms and transmission is vital. The healthcare system must remain on high alert, ready to detect and manage both typical and atypical cases. The study findings were discussed in a webinar hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/has-mpox-clade-iib-mutated-in-south-africa-seven-confirmed-cases-and-two-deaths-in-june
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/thailand-medical-authorities-warn-that-mpox-cases-are-once-again-rising-since-mid-april
