Mpox cases in South Africa rise to 22 - IOL
The Department of Health has confirmed an increase in Mpox cases in South Africa.
The Health Department has confirmed an increase in Mpox cases from 18 to 22 as of September 22.
One of the latest cases recorded involves a 47-year-old man from Cape Town who travelled to Spain earlier this month. The department said the man was previously classified as a probable case pending laboratory results from Spanish health authorities.
The confirmation of a positive test has resulted in the case being reclassified as laboratory-confirmed and included in the updated count.
Mpox is a viral disease that can affect anyone. Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue and a rash or skin lesions, including on the face, hands, feet and genitals, or other areas of the body.
People are urged to recognise the symptoms and seek medical care early.
The other three cases include two imported infections involving German and Norwegian citizens. Of the 22 confirmed cases, 18 are in the Western Cape, three in Gauteng, and one in KwaZulu-Natal. All patients but one are male.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the department, in collaboration with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners, is supporting the Western Cape Health Department in implementing response measures, including contact tracing and enhanced surveillance.
“Anyone who has been in close contact with a confirmed case within the past 21 days and develops symptoms should seek medical attention promptly and inform healthcare providers of their exposure history,” Mohale said.
While most cases remain concentrated in the Western Cape, Mohale said the identification of transmission clusters and cases across multiple provinces highlights the need for sustained public co-operation, early detection, and continued surveillance to prevent further spread.
“The Department of Health will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as new information becomes available,” Mohale said.
