KEY POINTS
- Zimbabwe reports its first two Mpox cases of an unspecified variant in October 2024.
- he Ministry of Health initiated immediate containment measures, including contact tracing and monitoring, to control the spread of the virus.
- Mpox is transmitted through close physical contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated surfaces, raising concerns about community spread.
In October 2024, Zimbabwe recorded its first two cases of Mpox, an unspecified variant of the virus that was felt throughout the country. Disease outbreaks are not new to Zimbabwe and although Mpox is not a new disease, it brings new challenges to health facilities, and the people of Zimbabwe.Â
A historical perspective on Zimbabwe’s public health challenges
Reuters’ investigation revealed that the country has had to deal with numerous public health issues in the past; Cholera, HIV/AIDS, among others. The country’s health systems have been weakened by poor economic and political conditions and the lack of adequate resources. Cholera is a disease that has been on the rise in Zimbabwe, and in 2008 the country received one of the worst cholera epidemics in history that killed over 4,000 people.Â
Mpox (formerly referred to as Monkeypox) is a new type of threat. Initially diagnosed in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 1970s, Mpox was mainly reported in Central and West Africa until a new wave in 2022 expanded the disease to other countries of the world.
While it is less transmissible and less severe than diseases such as smallpox, the re-emergence of Mpox as a global threat has sounded some serious alarm bells. Because it is transmitted through direct contact and its manifestations are similar to smallpox, chickenpox, etc., early diagnosis is critical.
The nature of Mpox and its spread
Mpox is a disease that is caused by the Mpox virus and is part of the Orthopoxvirus group that includes smallpox. While it is less severe than smallpox, Mpox results in painful rashes, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. It can be transmitted through direct contact, respiratory mode, or contact with contaminated objects. Therefore, areas with high population density are vulnerable to the spread of the disease.
Two cases of an unidentified Mpox variant in Zimbabwe put the country at a crossroads. Since Mpox mostly transmits directly through contact, early detection and isolation of cases are important to reduce further transmission. Besides, as the specific type of the virus is still unknown, there is some doubt as to the communicability of the strain and its consequences.
The Government’s response: preparedness and action
The government of Zimbabwe has not been found wanting in responding to the outbreak of Mpox through containment. According to the statement released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the authorities said they were working on identifying the contacts of the infected patients, and those who had close contact with the patients were isolated.
Such measures align with global guidelines like early isolation, isolation of contacts, and aggressive tracing of contacts. Also, the government has shown a desire to work with global bodies such as WHO to closely observe the situation and get directions on what to do.
Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these measures in managing this particular outbreak depends on the government’s capability to perform them. Despite its adaptability, Zimbabwe’s healthcare system is underfinanced and frequently deficient in the necessary tools. This shortage could be a problem in the capacity of its response since testing, surveillance, and treatment are all processes that require many resources. These gaps will require external partnership and stakeholders to help fill the gaps.
Citizen involvement: a key to containment
Therefore, apart from the government’s efforts, it is also vital that citizens contribute their efforts towards stopping the spread of Mpox. People within the community should be vigilant in the identification of the signs and reporting of Mpox cases, adherence to preventive measures such as hand washing, and maintaining social distance in crowded places.
Social media disinformation, which was a problem throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, could also be a problem in Zimbabwe. The study established that there was a low level of trust among citizens of African countries, Zimbabwe inclusive, regarding the COVID-19 virus and the vaccination.
These issues and others will need to be addressed and it will be important that correct information about Mpox is communicated. The government and the public must establish trust first because failure to do so may result in the public’s refusal to report or seek treatment for cases.
The role of vaccination
Vaccination is one of the most effective weapons against Mpox. The vaccine against smallpox which has been effective in stopping Mpox is an important part of the global response plan. To date, Mpox vaccination has not been declared for the whole of Zimbabwe by the Ministry of Health, but vaccines may be deployed in case of worsening of the situation.
However, public perceptions such as fear of vaccines, as was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic may also be a challenge. In several African nations, there was a lack of confidence in the vaccines, due to rumours, lack of information, and past experiences of health injustices. Therefore, any vaccination campaign for Mpox will require a lot of health promotion to counter myths and encourage people to take the vaccines.
Zimbabwe’s first two Mpox cases have raised the country’s public health system to the challenge once again. Although the government has not wasted time in putting measures of containment in place, the effectiveness of such measures will require cooperation. The healthcare has to be strengthened, the contact tracing has to be efficient, and the public has to be educated and involved in the fight against the virus spread.
