By Phenyo Selinda
The Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation, Matome Chiloane, has confirmed the first case of Monkeypox at a public school in the province. The case was reported at Iketleng Primary School in Hammanskraal on Tuesday, 16 July 2024.
According to Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education, a Grade 1 girl from Iketleng Primary School was diagnosed with Monkeypox after her parents informed the school about her symptoms and subsequent hospital visit. “The learner had visited relatives in Boplaas over the past weekend, where it is alleged that some family members were showing symptoms of Monkeypox. Upon returning home, she developed itchy sores and was taken to the hospital on Monday, 15 July 2024, where she was diagnosed with Monkeypox,” Mabona explained.
The affected learner is currently receiving appropriate medical care and is in isolation along with her family. Continuous communication is being maintained with the family to provide all necessary support.
The Gauteng Department of Education, in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Health, has initiated all necessary protocols to contain the situation and prevent further spread. The Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP) Team will visit the school to provide comprehensive health education and screening.
Monkeypox is a viral infection primarily spread through direct contact with an infected person or animal or through contaminated materials. While the risk to the broader school community remains low, parents and guardians are urged to be vigilant and ensure that children practice good hygiene, including regular handwashing and avoiding close contact with individuals who are unwell.
“We understand that this development may cause concern, but we assure the public that we are handling the situation with the highest level of care. The health and safety of our school communities are our top priorities, and we are working diligently with health authorities to manage. We appeal to all parents and guardians to cooperate with health guidelines and to report any suspected symptoms of Monkeypox to healthcare providers promptly. Let us ensure the safety and well-being of our learners and staff,” said MEC Chiloane.
Earlier in July 2024, the South African government reported two additional laboratory-confirmed Monkeypox cases, bringing the total number of infections to 22 since the first case was reported in May this year. The death toll remains at three. According to the Department of Health, available scientific data suggests that the disease is transmitted from person to person within the country’s borders. “The Department of Health calls for the public to remain vigilant and never lower their guard against Mpox disease, as the country remains on high alert for a possible surge,” the statement read.
The latest confirmed cases involve a 40-year-old man diagnosed at a private health facility in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 6 July 2024. The patient, originally from Johannesburg, Gauteng, developed an Mpox-like rash while in Durban. The other case involves a 26-year-old man from Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal, who presented with an Mpox-like rash at a local hospital. “Both new cases self-identified as MSM [men who have sex with men] with no international but local travel history,” the department explained.
The Department of Health is urging individuals who experience any Mpox symptoms, with or without international travel history, to visit a health facility for clinical observation and to confine themselves until test results are available. Common symptoms of Mpox include a rash lasting two to four weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen glands.
Contact tracing and monitoring are ongoing in both provinces, particularly among the close contacts of the patients. “We urge all identified and suspected contacts to cooperate with health officials during contact tracing for screening and possible diagnosis to prevent further transmission of this preventable and treatable disease,” said the department.
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