Zimbabwe has reported its initial two cases of mpox, a contagious viral illness. The health ministry confirmed the cases on Sunday without specifying the variant involved.
The first case was identified in an 11-year-old boy who exhibited symptoms after returning from South Africa.
The second case was detected in a 24-year-old man who had traveled to Tanzania. Both patients are recovering, and contact tracing efforts are underway.
The cases were reported in Harare, the capital city, and Mberengwa, a town located in the southern part of the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency in August, citing the spread of a new variant from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring African nations.
This “clade 1b” variant has raised global concerns due to its increased transmissibility through routine close contact.
The Zimbabwean health ministry reassured the public that the situation is under control and urged them to remain calm.
Neighboring Zambia also reported its first mpox case last week.
Mpox typically presents with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. While generally mild, it can be fatal in certain cases.