Swakopmund: The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) on Saturday recorded the first case of Mpox in Namibia, confirmed in Swakopmund in the Erongo Region.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Health and Social Services Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced in a media release on Sunday that the Mpox case is linked to cross-border travel within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Mpox is an infectious disease transmitted between species, from animals to humans or vice versa, caused by an orthopox virus, resulting in a smallpox-like illness in humans. The current global Mpox outbreak is primarily due to human-to-human transmission, with symptoms such as fever, intense headache, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle aches.

Luvindao confirmed that the patient is isolated at the Swakopmund District Hospital, in stable condition and receiving comprehensive treatment. She emphasized that Namibia is prepared to manage and control outbreaks, with facilities established and equipped to quarantine patients.

The MoHSS reassures the public that Namibia is ready to tackle public health emergencies and disease outbreaks like Mpox. Isolation facilities across the country are available or have been adapted to admit suspected infectious diseases requiring hospitalization. The minister explained that human-to-human transmission might occur through close contact with respiratory secretions, bodily fluids, skin lesions of an infected person, or recently contaminated objects.

The ministry has activated the public health emergency response and mobilized resources to address the confirmed Mpox outbreak. Luvindao urged the public to stay calm and avoid spreading unverified information about the virus to prevent unnecessary panic.