JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — 18 September 2026: South Africa's National Department of Health has warned of a rapid increase in mpox cases after reporting 18 confirmed infections and one probable case. The alert moved quickly across national media on Friday morning, with health officials urging people who may have been exposed to monitor for symptoms and seek care early.
South African health authorities say the country has recorded 18 confirmed mpox cases and one probable case as of 17 September 2026. Officials are urging vigilance, early testing and reduced close contact when symptoms appear, while surveillance and outbreak-response work continue.
Health department warns of faster transmission
The South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday morning that the National Department of Health had warned of a rapid increase in mpox cases. Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said people who have had close contact with a confirmed case should monitor themselves for symptoms for up to 21 days and seek medical attention if they become ill.
Eyewitness News separately reported the national total of 18 confirmed infections and one probable case. The outlet said the Western Cape has recorded the largest cluster of confirmed infections, with additional cases reported in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says South Africa has continued to detect mpox through national surveillance. Its dashboard records cases involving both clade I and clade II viruses during recent years and notes that mpox is a Category I notifiable medical condition in the country.
What mpox symptoms should people watch for?
The World Health Organization says mpox can cause a painful rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Symptoms can appear within days of exposure, although the incubation period can extend to 21 days.
Mpox spreads mainly through close contact with someone who is infected. That can include skin-to-skin contact, intimate contact and contact with contaminated materials such as clothing, towels or bedding. WHO also stresses that anyone can contract mpox and that stigma can undermine outbreak control by discouraging people from seeking testing or care.
South African officials echoed that message. Mohale said public cooperation is important and warned against discrimination against people diagnosed with or suspected of having mpox.
HEALTH NEWS
South Africa Mpox Cases Rise as Health Department Urges Vigilance
Sep 18, 2026
Sep 18, 2026
4 min read
Published
Updated:
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — 18 September 2026: South Africa's National Department of Health has warned of a rapid increase in mpox cases after reporting 18 confirmed infections and one probable case. The alert moved quickly across national media on Friday morning, with health officials urging people who may have been exposed to monitor for symptoms and seek care early.
South African health authorities say the country has recorded 18 confirmed mpox cases and one probable case as of 17 September 2026. Officials are urging vigilance, early testing and reduced close contact when symptoms appear, while surveillance and outbreak-response work continue.
Health department warns of faster transmission
The South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday morning that the National Department of Health had warned of a rapid increase in mpox cases. Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said people who have had close contact with a confirmed case should monitor themselves for symptoms for up to 21 days and seek medical attention if they become ill.
Eyewitness News separately reported the national total of 18 confirmed infections and one probable case. The outlet said the Western Cape has recorded the largest cluster of confirmed infections, with additional cases reported in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says South Africa has continued to detect mpox through national surveillance. Its dashboard records cases involving both clade I and clade II viruses during recent years and notes that mpox is a Category I notifiable medical condition in the country.
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What mpox symptoms should people watch for?
The World Health Organization says mpox can cause a painful rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Symptoms can appear within days of exposure, although the incubation period can extend to 21 days.
Mpox spreads mainly through close contact with someone who is infected. That can include skin-to-skin contact, intimate contact and contact with contaminated materials such as clothing, towels or bedding. WHO also stresses that anyone can contract mpox and that stigma can undermine outbreak control by discouraging people from seeking testing or care.
South African officials echoed that message. Mohale said public cooperation is important and warned against discrimination against people diagnosed with or suspected of having mpox.
What people should do after possible exposure
Health authorities are advising people who have had close contact with a confirmed or suspected mpox case to monitor for symptoms and contact a healthcare provider if they become ill. People who develop unexplained skin lesions or a rash should avoid close physical contact with others until they have been assessed.
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WHO guidance says a person diagnosed with mpox should follow local health instructions and avoid close contact until lesions have healed and a new layer of skin has formed. Good hand hygiene and avoiding shared contaminated items can also reduce transmission risk.
South Africa has already built mpox surveillance and vaccination capacity from earlier outbreaks. NICD's September 2026 key-reference page includes updated clinical material for healthcare workers and guidance on investigating suspected cases.
The health department's own mpox outbreak information page also directs the public and clinicians to official resources rather than relying on social-media claims or informal medical advice.
Why the latest increase matters
The new warning comes after South Africa had already recorded mpox cases earlier in 2026. NICD previously reported eight cases through 28 August, meaning the newer national total reflects a significant increase over a relatively short period.
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The update is also relevant beyond South Africa because mpox has continued circulating across parts of Africa and internationally. WHO Africa says vaccination can help protect people at higher risk of exposure and continues to recommend rapid identification, isolation where appropriate and contact follow-up as central outbreak-control measures.
South African health authorities are expected to continue laboratory testing, contact monitoring and case investigation while updating the public as new information becomes available. The most important next data points will be whether the case count continues rising, whether additional local transmission chains are identified and whether officials adjust vaccination or response measures in affected areas.
For now, the public-health message is straightforward: know the symptoms, seek care early after possible exposure, avoid close contact when symptomatic and rely on official health guidance rather than rumours.
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