Justicia Shipena
An eight-month-old baby is among two confirmed mpox cases in the country.
Namibia confirmed its first mpox case on Sunday, linked to recent cross-border travel within the SADC region.
The Ministry of Health declared an outbreak after confirming the case in Swakopmund.
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao told parliament on Tuesday that the infant is in close contact with the first confirmed patient from Swakopmund.
She said both patients are in stable condition and receiving treatment in isolation at the Swakopmund District Hospital.
Luvindao also disclosed that Rundu Intermediate Hospital has reported a third suspected case.
However, she said test results are pending.
Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by an orthopox virus and spreads mainly through close human contact.
It was first identified in monkeys in 1958 and in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Seventeen African nations, including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and the DRC, are currently experiencing outbreaks.
Luvindao said the ministry is using its Covid-19 experience to manage the outbreak, including upgraded isolation facilities and trained health workers.
“Our approach involves a concerted, nationwide effort utilising both Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society strategies,” she said.
She said the mpox incident management system has been activated at national and regional levels under the national health emergency management committee to coordinate response and preparedness efforts.
Furthermore, she told parliament that the country’s surveillance system remains on high alert to detect and monitor suspected cases.
“The Ministry wishes to reassure the public that Namibia is adequately prepared to respond to public health emergencies and disease outbreaks such as mpox,” she said.
Luvindao said Namibia is working with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to explore vaccine procurement.
“We are confident in the Africa CDC’s commitment to ensuring equitable vaccine distribution and prioritising local needs across affected member states,” she said.
Mpox symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, muscle pain and a rash that turns into blisters and crusts over two to four weeks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern in 2022.
Over 120 countries reported more than 100 000 mpox infections and over 220 deaths by August 2024.
In Africa, over 1 100 people died of mpox in 2024, with nearly 48 000 cases recorded by October. The Africa CDC previously warned that the outbreak remains uncontrolled and could worsen without additional resources.
Globally, countries such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Germany have also confirmed cases.
