17 mpox cases confirmed in Mozambique as authorities raise national alert

MAPUTO, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Mozambique has confirmed a localized outbreak of mpox in the northern province of Niassa, with 17 laboratory-confirmed cases reported in Lago District since July 10, when the outbreak was officially declared.

Speaking at a press conference in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, on Tuesday, National Director of Public Health Quinhas Fernandes said all confirmed cases are concentrated in Lago District.

The patients, aged between 17 and 38, are in clinically stable condition and remain under home isolation. None have been discharged so far, as they have yet to complete the mandatory 21-day isolation period, he said.

Fernandes said seven of the confirmed patients are female and 10 are male. HIV testing was conducted on 12 of the patients, with two testing positive, resulting in coinfections.

Initial laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of the Clade Ib variant of mpox virus, which is also circulating in neighboring Tanzania.

"This finding underscores the importance of cross-border coordination. We have already held meetings with health authorities from Malawi and Tanzania to strengthen our joint response efforts," Fernandes told reporters. "We continue to closely monitor the situation and are implementing all necessary measures to protect public health."

Mozambique had previously reported only one mpox case, in 2022, in Maputo Province.

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic viral disease that spreads through close contact. It typically begins with symptoms such as fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue, followed by a skin rash. Enditem