Zimbabwe reports the first two MPox cases of an unspecified variant

HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe has confirmed its first two cases of Mpox, the health ministry said on Sunday, without specifying which variant was recorded.

The first case was discovered in an 11-year-old boy who developed symptoms after a trip to South Africa last month, the statement said. The second case involved a 24-year-old man who fell ill after a trip to Tanzania, it said.

Both patients are recovering and contact tracing is underway, the statement said. The cases occurred in the capital Harare and the southern city of Mberengwa.

The World Health Organization declared MPOX a global health emergency in August for the second time in two years as a new variant of the viral infection spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring African countries.

The new “Clade 1b” variant has caused concern worldwide because it appears to spread more easily through routine close contact.

“The Ministry of Health and Child Care would like to reassure the public that the situation is under control and urges the Zimbabwean public not to panic,” said the statement signed by Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora.

Neighboring Zambia also reported its first case last week without disclosing the strain.

Mpox typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. It is usually mild but can be fatal.

(Reporting by Nyasha Chingono; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by David Holmes)