Baku:The Department of Health has confirmed four new cases of mpox in South Africa, increasing the total number of cases nationwide from 22 to 26 since January 1, 2026. The cases are spread across several regions, with 18 reported in the Western Cape, three in Gauteng, two in the Eastern Cape, two in the Free State, and one in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Western Cape's 18 cases include two imported cases involving foreign nationals, while the remaining 16 were due to local transmission. The majority of the cases, 25 out of 26, are male, with ages ranging from 23 to 50 years and a median age of 37. Clade and lineage data is available for 17 cases, with 13 associated with the Clade Ib mpox virus and four with Clade IIb.
The Department of Health advises the public to remain vigilant and seek medical care if they experience symptoms such as rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, or fatigue. Those in close contact with a confirmed or suspected mpox case should notify healthcare workers and monitor themselves for symptoms over a 21-day period.
The department emphasizes the preventable nature of mpox and urges individuals to avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with anyone displaying an mpox-like rash and to refrain from sharing personal items. Healthcare workers are encouraged to maintain a high level of suspicion and follow infection prevention protocols when dealing with suspected cases.
Efforts to contain the spread of mpox will continue through collaboration with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, provincial health authorities, and other stakeholders, focusing on enhanced surveillance, case finding, contact tracing, and community engagement.