By Doreen Mokgolo
The Gauteng Department of Education has taken back its statement confirming a monkeypox case at a Hammanskraal school.
On Thursday, the department announced that a grade one learner had tested positive for monkeypox (mpox). However, they now admitted they may have “acted prematurely” by confirming the case without verification from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Spokesperson Steve Mabona said, “The GDE is committed to ensuring accurate and verified information is communicated to the public. We are now awaiting the official verification from the NICD and will defer to the Department of Health for any further announcements on this matter.”
Earlier on Thursday the department wrote that the learner from Iketleng Primary School in Hammanskraal, Tshwane, tested positive for monkeypox on Monday.
It said this is the first case of the viral infectious disease in a Gauteng public school since May.
Monkeypox spreads through close contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated material.
Department spokesperson Mabona said the girl visited family members in Bosplas over the weekend, where some relatives showed symptoms of monkeypox.
“After returning home, the girl developed itchy sores and was taken to the hospital on Monday, where she was diagnosed with the virus,” Mabona said.
“She is now receiving medical care and is in isolation with her family.”
The province’s Integrated School Health Programme team will visit the school to provide health education and screening.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane recognised the concern the news might cause but said the department is handling the incident with great care.
“We are working closely with health authorities to prevent further spread,” Chiloane said.
“We ask parents and guardians to follow health guidelines and report any suspected symptoms of monkeypox to healthcare providers immediately.”
The disease was first detected in central Africa in the 1950s and remains endemic in 11 countries.
Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle aches, and exhaustion. A rash often forms one to five days after infection.
There is no monkeypox vaccine, but the smallpox vaccine is 85% effective against the disease.
Pictured above: Monkeypox.
Source: Stock
