According to the ministry, the patient, who recently travelled within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, is in stable condition and receiving treatment in isolation at the Swakopmund District Hospital.
In line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, a single confirmed case of Mpox constitutes an outbreak. Health authorities have since launched contact tracing and surveillance measures to identify possible additional cases.
The ministry assured the public that Namibia’s surveillance and response systems are well-prepared to handle such health emergencies.
“Namibia is adequately equipped to respond to public health emergencies such as Mpox. Isolation facilities across the country are ready or have been repurposed to accommodate suspected infectious diseases,” the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
The MoHSS said the confirmed case is linked to recent cross-border travel within the SADC region, where several countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania, are battling active Mpox outbreaks.
First identified in monkeys in 1958 and later in humans in 1970 in the DRC, Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by an orthopox virus. It is similar to smallpox but generally less severe. While historically transmitted from animals to humans, the current global outbreak is primarily driven by human-to-human transmission.
In response to the confirmed case, Namibia has activated its public health emergency response mechanisms and mobilised resources to contain the outbreak. The MoHSS called for public calm and discouraged the spread of misinformation.
“We urge the public not to circulate unverified information or stigmatise affected individuals. The ministry remains committed to providing accurate and timely updates to protect public health,” the statement added.
–ChannelAfrica–
