Swakopmund: Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, on Tuesday announced that a second positive case of Mpox has been confirmed at Swakopmund in the Erongo Region, bringing the total confirmed cases to two. The first case was reported on 18 October.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Luvindao stated in Parliament that the ministry has identified one additional confirmed case – an eight-month-old contact of the initial patient. The minister also mentioned a suspected case of Mpox in Rundu, but said the individual has not been confirmed as a positive case as their results are still pending.

‘Mpox can infect anyone and is not associated with any particular group of people or race. Prevention remains our most effective tool. I urge all members of the public to adhere strictly to the preventative measures, such as avoiding close skin-to-skin contact with individuals displaying a rash consistent with Mpox,’ Luvindao said.

She further reassured that the ministry is fully equipped to manage the outbreak, saying the Mpox Incident Management System has been activated at both national and regional levels, operating under the National Health Emergency Management Committee. ‘This multi-sectoral committee, comprised of experts from various government offices, ministries, agencies, and stakeholders, is responsible for developing and implementing public health emergency preparedness strategies and action,’ she added.

In addition, Namibia, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the African Union-Africa Centres for Disease Control (CDC), is actively exploring options for acquiring Mpox vaccines which will prioritise the most vulnerable. ‘I implore anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with Mpox to seek medical attention immediately,’ Luvindao said.