Namibia has recorded its first confirmed case of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, and while that headline alone may alarm some, this moment should be seen as an opportunity for vigilance, not fear. The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has moved swiftly to isolate the patient, begin contact tracing, and activate the national emergency response system. That decisive action deserves commendation. In times like these, calm professionalism matters just as much as medical expertise.
Understanding Mpox: What we are dealing with
Mpox is not new to Africa or to the global health landscape. It’s a zoonotic viral disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans, caused by an orthopox virus related to smallpox, though notably less severe. The disease was first detected in monkeys in 1958 and in humans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970. Since then, it has appeared periodically across parts of central and western Africa, often in communities with close contact with wild animals.
What makes the current situation different is that mpox is now largely transmitted from human to human. Transmission occurs through direct contact with the lesions or bodily fluids of an infected person, prolonged face-to-face contact, or contact with contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing.
Symptoms typically appear within one to two weeks after exposure. They include fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash that progresses from flat lesions to fluid-filled blisters before crusting over. While mpox is rarely fatal, it can cause severe discomfort, scarring, and complications in people with weakened immune systems.
Namibia’s case has been linked to cross-border travel within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). That should not come as a surprise. With 17 African countries currently reporting active mpox cases, including our neighbours Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania, regional movement inevitably raises exposure risks.
This reality underscores a simple truth: viruses do not respect borders. Namibia’s first case does not indicate failure but connectivity – economic, social, and geographic. As a country that sits at the heart of the region, we are part of a larger ecosystem of travel and trade. The key lies in how we manage the health implications that come with it.
The ministry’s swift response
Health ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya has confirmed that Namibia has activated its public health emergency response mechanism and mobilised resources to contain the situation. This proactive stance demonstrates that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic have not gone unlearned.
From contact tracing to the repurposing of isolation facilities, the ministry’s response has been structured, timely, and transparent. It is worth remembering that even a single confirmed case is classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an outbreak. That classification does not imply catastrophe; it simply ensures that the correct public health measures are put in motion early enough to prevent further spread.
Public confidence is built on such clarity. By promptly informing citizens, rather than concealing or downplaying the news, the ministry has affirmed the principle that transparency saves lives.
As the story spreads, so too will rumours, half-truths and outright falsehoods. This is perhaps the most dangerous contagion of all. The public must resist the urge to circulate unverified information on social media or to stigmatise those affected. Mpox, like any infectious disease, does not discriminate. It can infect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social group.
Fear-driven stigma undermines both the victims and the national response. It discourages people from seeking treatment or reporting symptoms. It erodes the trust between communities and health workers that is essential for effective containment.
What Namibia needs right now is not hysteria, but hygiene. The simple measures that worked during COVID-19—frequent handwashing, avoiding unnecessary physical contact, and promptly seeking medical attention for suspicious rashes or fever—remain our first line of defence.
The emergence of mpox reminds us that public health is an ongoing investment, not an occasional expense. Diseases will continue to evolve and cross borders, but a resilient healthcare system ensures that they do not overwhelm us.
Namibia’s swift mobilisation demonstrates that we are not commencing from the beginning.. The surveillance systems developed over years of managing HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and more recently Covid-19 have strengthened our ability to respond to outbreaks. These are the invisible victories of institutional memory and investment in human capacity.
At the same time, this outbreak should reignite the conversation about continuous funding for public health infrastructure, laboratory capacity, and emergency response teams. The cost of readiness will always be less than the cost of crisis.
The Ministry of Health’s assurance that Namibia is adequately prepared must be matched with sustained vigilance from every sector of society. Regional cooperation within SADC is also crucial. Since the first case has been linked to cross-border travel, neighbouring states must share surveillance data, standardise screening procedures, and coordinate communication to limit transmission.
Local leaders, civil society, and the media have a collective responsibility to keep the public informed without inflaming anxiety. Accurate reporting saves lives. Constructive partnerships between journalists and health authorities will be critical in managing the narrative responsibly.
In the end, Namibia’s first Mpox case is not a national crisis; it is a national test. How we respond will determine not just the trajectory of this particular outbreak, but our readiness for future ones.
Let us commend the Ministry of Health and Social Services for acting decisively and communicating openly. Let us also play our part by staying alert, informed, and compassionate. Public health is a shared responsibility, and in moments like this, our collective discipline becomes the country’s strongest vaccine.
The Windhoek Observer stands with Namibia’s health professionals and urges all citizens to respond to this outbreak with calm, cooperation, and care. Information, not panic, will keep us safe.
