Mpox cases in South Africa rise to 26 as four new infections confirmed

South Africa’s cumulative number of laboratory-confirmed mpox cases has increased to 26 after four new infections were confirmed, the Department of Health has announced.

The latest cases bring the national total from 22 to 26 since 1 January 2026, with the Western Cape accounting for the majority of infections.

Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said 18 cases had been reported in the Western Cape, three in Gauteng, two in the Eastern Cape, two in the Free State and one in KwaZulu-Natal.

Of the 18 cases in the Western Cape, two were imported and involved foreign nationals visiting South Africa, while the remaining 16 were linked to local transmission.

Mohale said 25 of the 26 confirmed cases were male, with patients aged between 23 and 50. The median age was 37.

“Clade and lineage information is currently available for 17 cases, of which 13 are associated with the Clade Ib mpox virus and four with Clade IIb,” he said.

The department urged people to seek medical attention promptly if they developed symptoms, including a rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue.

People who had been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected case were advised to inform healthcare workers and monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days.

Should symptoms develop, they should avoid close contact with others and seek medical attention.

The department also warned the public against close, skin-to-skin contact with anyone who had an mpox-like rash and urged people not to share bedding, towels, clothing or other personal items with affected individuals.

“Mpox is a preventable and treatable viral infection,” Mohale said.

Healthcare workers were urged to remain alert to possible infections and follow infection prevention and control protocols when managing suspected cases.

The department said it would continue working with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, provincial health authorities and other stakeholders to strengthen surveillance, identify cases, trace contacts and raise public awareness to contain further spread of the virus.