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Wits RHI

Overview of Mpox

Mpox, known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. The virus, part of a group that includes over 80 known poxviruses, affects a wide range of species, including birds, insects, reptiles, marsupials, and mammals. Since the global Mpox outbreak began in 2022, the virus has spread to over 100 countries, including South Africa. The outbreak has highlighted the critical need for equitable access to vaccines and other medical countermeasures, particularly in regions most affected by the virus.

Professor Helen Rees on the Mpox Response

Professor Helen Rees has played a key role in the response to the Mpox outbreak. As Co-Chair of the Incident Management Team (IMT), Professor Rees has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s strategies to combat the virus. Through her media engagements, she has highlighted the critical importance of a coordinated response at both national and provincial levels, stressing that a deep understanding of Mpox—its symptoms, transmission, and treatment—is essential for early detection and containment of outbreaks.

The National Department of Health, has taken decisive action by establishing an Incident Management Team (IMT) co-chaired by Professor Rees and Aneliswa Cele, Chief Director of Environmental Health and Port Health. This team is comprised of over 20 specialised action pillars, each dedicated to areas such as clinical interventions, disease surveillance, communication, and port health, ensuring a comprehensive and effective response to the outbreak.

Ongoing Media Coverage: Interviews, Podcasts, and Articles Featuring Professor Helen Rees

Media Interviews

Podcasts

Online Articles

For more information from the National Department of Health on Mpox, including details on transmission, prevention, and myths versus facts, click here.

Overview of Mpox

Mpox, known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. The virus, part of a group that includes over 80 known poxviruses, affects a wide range of species, including birds, insects, reptiles, marsupials, and mammals. Since the global Mpox outbreak began in 2022, the virus has spread to over 100 countries, including South Africa. The outbreak has highlighted the critical need for equitable access to vaccines and other medical countermeasures, particularly in regions most affected by the virus.

Professor Helen Rees on the Mpox Response

Professor Helen Rees has played a key role in the response to the Mpox outbreak. As Co-Chair of the Incident Management Team (IMT), Professor Rees has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s strategies to combat the virus. Through her media engagements, she has highlighted the critical importance of a coordinated response at both national and provincial levels, stressing that a deep understanding of Mpox—its symptoms, transmission, and treatment—is essential for early detection and containment of outbreaks.

The National Department of Health, has taken decisive action by establishing an Incident Management Team (IMT) co-chaired by Professor Rees and Aneliswa Cele, Chief Director of Environmental Health and Port Health. This team is comprised of over 20 specialised action pillars, each dedicated to areas such as clinical interventions, disease surveillance, communication, and port health, ensuring a comprehensive and effective response to the outbreak.

Ongoing Media Coverage: Interviews, Podcasts, and Articles Featuring Professor Helen Rees

Media Interviews

Podcasts

Online Articles

For more information from the National Department of Health on Mpox, including details on transmission, prevention, and myths versus facts, click here.