South Africa’s confirmed mpox cases have risen to 22, with the Department of Health warning that continued surveillance and early detection remain critical as infections are recorded across three provinces.
The department said on Wednesday that four additional laboratory-confirmed cases had been recorded as of 22 September, increasing the national total from 18.
One of the newly confirmed cases involves a 47-year-old man from Cape Town who travelled to Spain earlier this month.
The man had previously been classified as a probable mpox case while health authorities awaited laboratory results from Spain. Following confirmation of a positive test, his case has now been reclassified as laboratory-confirmed.
The other three newly confirmed cases include two imported infections involving a German citizen and a Norwegian citizen.
Of the 22 confirmed cases recorded nationally, 18 are in the Western Cape, three in Gauteng and one in KwaZulu-Natal.
The department said all but one of the confirmed patients are male.
The latest figures come as health authorities continue to monitor the spread of mpox and investigate potential transmission links.
The Department of Health is working with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners to support the Western Cape provincial health authorities.
Measures include contact tracing and enhanced surveillance to identify further cases and limit transmission.
Departmental spokesperson Foster Mohale said the latest developments underscored the importance of continued vigilance.
While most of the confirmed infections remain concentrated in the Western Cape, the department said the identification of transmission clusters and cases in more than one province required sustained public cooperation.
Mpox can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain and fatigue.
A rash or skin lesions may also develop and can appear on the face, hands, feet, genital area or other parts of the body.
The department is urging people who have been in close contact with someone confirmed to have mpox during the previous 21 days to monitor themselves for symptoms.
Anyone who develops symptoms after such contact should seek medical attention promptly and inform healthcare workers about their exposure history.
Health authorities have stressed the importance of early detection as part of efforts to prevent further transmission.
The increase in confirmed infections also highlights the role of travellers and international movement in the detection of imported cases, with the latest update including infections linked to Spain, Germany and Norway.
The department said it would continue monitoring the situation and provide further updates as additional information becomes available.
Authorities are encouraging the public to remain alert to possible symptoms while avoiding unnecessary panic, with surveillance and prompt medical attention forming part of the ongoing response.
The latest cases bring the number of laboratory-confirmed mpox infections in South Africa to 22 as of 22 September 2026.
