- Most people with mpox recover without treatment. But all South Africa’s cases, so far, have had to be hospitalised. Why?
- Because our cases had weak immune systems because they also had other illnesses. All six cases had HIV.
- HIV-positive people who are on antiretroviral drugs, and take their medicine correctly, have good immune systems. But about a quarter, or 2-million, of South Africa’s estimated 7.8-million people infected with HIV, are not on treatment. Such people have a much higher chance of ending up in hospital with mpox than the general population.
- Mia Malan asked Jacqueline Weyer of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, how large South Africa’s mpox outbreak will be, when vaccines are likely to arrive and how treatment works. She spoke to Weyer on 13 June. A seventh mpox case was announced only after the recording on 14 June.
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Mia Malan is the founder and editor-in-chief of Bhekisisa. She has worked in newsrooms in Johannesburg, Nairobi and Washington, DC, winning more than 30 awards for her radio, print and television work.
Danny Booysen is a freelance audio technical producer and has over 30 years of experience in the broadcast industry.
