South Africa confirms third monkeypox case among tourists from Switzerland

Test tubes labeled “Monkeypox virus positive” are seen in this illustration taken on May 22, 2022. Reuters/Dado Ruvik/Illustration/File photo

July 11 (Reuters) – South Africa has confirmed a third case of monkeypox in a 42-year-old male tourist from Switzerland, the health department of the Limpopo province said.

The tourist, who was on vacation in South Africa, showed symptoms such as rash, muscle pain and fatigue. South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirmed his infection as monkeypox.

“Three contacts have already been identified and none of them have developed symptoms so far,” Limpopo health official Phofi Ramathuba said in a statement.

Earlier South Africa had reported two monkeypox cases not linked to travel. read more

Monkeypox is a viral disease that causes flu-like symptoms and skin sores. It is endemic in parts of Africa, but not in South Africa.

In more than 50 countries where monkeypox is not endemic, outbreaks of the viral disease have been reported as confirmed cases exceed 7,600. read more

Reporting by Alexander Winning and Bhargava Acharya; Editing by Olivia Kumwenda-Matambo

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