Gauteng ready to respond to Mpox cases, with 586 vaccine doses in stock

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) says the province is prepared to respond to Mpox following three confirmed laboratory cases reported on 18 September by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

The department said it was strengthening preparedness measures to ensure suspected and confirmed cases are detected early, investigated and appropriately managed.

Functional outbreak response teams are in place across all five health districts, supported by provincial specialists in communicable disease control, immunisation, environmental health, infection prevention and control, health promotion and communication.

Mpox cases are monitored daily through the Notifiable Medical Conditions surveillance system, while wastewater surveillance is being used as an additional early-warning mechanism.

The department said it has contingency plans covering surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication, coordination and resource mobilisation. A provincial risk calendar is also used to identify periods or circumstances that could increase transmission risks.

Gauteng currently has 586 Mpox vaccine doses in stock. The vaccines are not routinely stored at clinics because they require specialised cold-chain equipment at approximately -40°C. Instead, they are kept in dedicated freezers at regional pharmacies and supplied to clinics according to identified need.

The department is engaging with the National Department of Health to access additional doses if required.

GDoH said it was also conducting targeted awareness campaigns through clinics, public meetings, multimedia platforms, door-to-door campaigns and community outreach programmes.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant, familiarise themselves with Mpox symptoms and seek medical care early if they develop symptoms.