A second individual in South Africa has succumbed to mpox this week, the health ministry reported on Thursday, less than a day after announcing the first fatality.
The latest victim was a 38-year-old man hospitalised in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province.
He presented with severe symptoms, including extensive lesions, headache, fatigue, oral ulcers, muscle pain, and a sore throat. He tested positive for mpox on Wednesday.
“The patient unfortunately passed away in KZN on the same day his test results confirmed mpox,” said Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the national health department.
To date, South Africa has recorded six laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox, with two resulting in death since the first case was detected five weeks ago. While mpox typically causes mild illness, it can be fatal, spreading through close physical contact.
