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The Department of Health has confirmed a second case of monkeypox in South Africa.
It says the 32-year-old man from Cape Town has no travel history, which suggests a high possibility of local transmission.
This comes less than a week after the first confirmed case in which a 30-year-old man from Johannesburg was tested positive.
Health Minister, Joe Phaahla has urged the public to observe good hygiene practices and other preventative measures in order to prevent the spread of this virus.
Monkeypox is usually a mild disease, manifesting as blisters on the skin, and it is self-limiting with a fatality rate of 1%.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the current outbreak across the globe does not yet constitute a Public Health Emergency for the International Community (PHEIC).
This advice was given to the World Health Organisation last week following a closed meeting with relevant roleplayers and advisors.
The Committee discussed key issues related to the outbreak, including the need for further understanding of transmission dynamics and potential links to international gatherings and LGBTQI+ Pride events conducive to increased opportunities for exposure through intimate sexual encounters.
Monkeypox has been endemic in parts of Africa for decades.
Since May 2022, monkeypox has been reported in more than 4,000 individuals from several European countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.
This is the first multi-country outbreak of monkeypox and is already the largest outbreak of monkeypox recorded.
