Xolile Mtembu|Published
South Africa has recorded four new Mpox cases, pushing the national tally to 26 since the beginning of the year, with the Western Cape accounting for the overwhelming majority of infections.
The Department of Health has urged the public to remain vigilant, recognise the warning signs and seek medical attention promptly to help prevent further transmission of the virus.
Spokesperson Foster Mohale confirmed the increase, saying the latest cases had raised the cumulative number of laboratory-confirmed infections from 22 to 26.
Western Cape accounts for 18 infections
Of the 26 confirmed cases recorded since January 1, 2026, the Western Cape has reported 18, followed by Gauteng with three, the Eastern Cape and Free State with two each, and KwaZulu-Natal with one.
Two of the Western Cape cases involved foreign nationals visiting South Africa and were classified as imported infections.
The remaining 16 were linked to local transmission.
The department said 25 of the 26 people diagnosed with mpox were male, with ages ranging from 23 to 50.
The median age was 37. Clade and lineage information was available for 17 cases. Of these, 13 were associated with Clade Ib and four with Clade IIb.
Mohale urged people to take precautions and seek help if they suspected they had contracted the virus.
“The department urges members of the public to remain vigilant and to seek healthcare promptly if they develop symptoms such as a rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue,” he said.
Public warned about close contact
Mpox is a viral infection that can spread through close contact with an infected person.
The department advised anyone who had been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected case to notify healthcare workers and monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days.
People who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and seek medical attention.
The public has also been warned against close, skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has a rash suspected to be linked to mpox.
Sharing personal belongings, including bedding, towels and clothing, with affected individuals should be avoided.
Mohale emphasised that people who may have been exposed should monitor their health carefully.
“Individuals who have been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected mpox case should inform healthcare workers and monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days,” he said.
Health authorities step up efforts to contain spread
The department stressed that mpox was preventable and treatable, while calling on healthcare workers to remain alert to possible infections and follow infection prevention and control protocols when managing suspected cases.
Authorities are continuing to work with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), provincial health departments and other stakeholders to strengthen surveillance, identify cases, trace contacts and improve public awareness.
Mohale said the department would continue working with its partners to prevent further transmission.
“The department will continue to work closely with the NICD, provincial health authorities and other stakeholders to strengthen surveillance, case finding, contact tracing, risk communication and community engagement in order to contain further spread of mpox,” he said.
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