By McGeorge Mbare
The Beitbridge border port health is on high alert amid increasing Mpox cases in neighbouring South Africa which has recorded now 25 confirmed cases.
In response, the port health is carrying out awareness campaigns to travelers entering the Beitbridge border entering The Border port health’s awareness messages are being sent to travellers through ZIMBORDERS public address systems.
In the messages to travellers, the Port health advocated all the drivers to notify Port health officials of any travellers or someone with suspected signs and symptoms of Mpox in order to reduce the high chances of spreading it into Zimbabwe.
The port health has is also emphasising that those who recently travelled to an area with Mpox cases or have symptoms, should declare to port health officials.
Due to the interconnectedness of the Zimbabwe and South Africa, whatever happens in the latter tend to spill into the former hence the port health tightening systems. Thousands of travellers cross the border post going either way.
Mpox is an infection caused by a virus similar to the smallpox virus. Formely known as monkey pox, the latest outbreak of the disease has been branded a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation.