Zimbabwe confirms first two mpox cases as new variant sparks global concerns

Zimbabwe has confirmed its first two cases of mpox, according to a statement from the health ministry on Sunday, though the variant was not specified.

The first case detected in a 11-year-old boy who showed symptoms last month after returning from South Africa. The second case is a 24-year-old man who fell ill following travel to Tanzania. Both patients are recovering, and authorities have initiated contact tracing. The cases were reported in Harare and the southern town of Mberengwa.

In August, the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency due to the spread of a new variant, "clade 1b," which has raised concerns over its ease of transmission through routine close contact.

”The Ministry of Health and Childcare wishes 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.

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Neighbouring 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 kill.