A second person has died from the viral infection monkeypox in South Africa, the health ministry says, less than 24 hours after it announced the first death.
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The second person who died was a 38-year-old man, the health ministry said on Thursday.
The man was admitted to a hospital in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province with extensive lesions, headache, fatigue, oral ulcers, muscle pain and a sore throat and tested positive for monkeypox on Wednesday.
"The patient has unfortunately demised in KZN the same day his test results came back positive," national health department spokesperson Foster Mohale said.
The total number of laboratory-confirmed monkeypox cases stands at six, with two deaths since the first case was recorded five weeks ago.
Monkeypox spreads through close physical contact.
Most cases are mild but the infection can kill.
Australian Associated Press
