South Africa’s confirmed Mpox cases have climbed to 22, with the Western Cape accounting for the overwhelming majority of infections recorded so far, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The Department of Health confirmed the updated figure on Tuesday after laboratory results confirmed Mpox in a 47-year-old Cape Town man who had reportedly travelled to Spain. Officials initially classified the man as a probable case while test results were being processed.
Once the positive result was confirmed by Spanish health authorities, his status was changed to laboratory-confirmed and added to the national tally. The latest update also includes three other confirmed infections involving German and Norwegian nationals.
Western Cape remains the main cluster
Of the 22 confirmed cases across the country, 18 have reportedly been recorded in the Western Cape. Gauteng has reported three cases, while KwaZulu-Natal has recorded one. The cases have predominantly involved men, with patients ranging in age from 23 to 50. Only one of the confirmed patients is female.
The rise from 18 to 22 confirmed cases also highlights why laboratory confirmation and continued monitoring remain important as officials track the virus.
South Africa has recorded a rise in confirmed mpox cases, with 18 confirmed and one probable case reported as of 17 September 2026. Most cases have been identified in the Western Cape, with additional cases reported in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
Mpox can affect anyone,… pic.twitter.com/rqQzsFbGmX
— Gauteng Health (@GautengHealth) September 18, 2026
What should people look out for?
Mpox symptoms can vary, but several signs are commonly associated with the infection. These include fever, headaches, tiredness, muscle aches and back pain. A rash or skin lesions can also develop, with affected areas including the face, hands and feet, as well as other parts of the body.
The lesions may be painful and can also occur in intimate areas. Because symptoms can differ from person to person, health authorities are urging people who develop symptoms associated with Mpox to seek medical attention.
The Department of Health has particularly warned people who have been in close contact with a confirmed case during the previous 21 days to seek care if symptoms appear.
‘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.’
– Foster Mohale, health spokesperson.
Mpox is primarily spread through close physical contact with an infected person. Direct contact with lesions or bodily fluids can result in transmission, while the virus can also spread through contaminated belongings such as bedding, towels and clothing. This means awareness of symptoms and a person’s recent exposure history can be important when seeking medical care.
Mohale said the detection of cases in more than one province underlined the importance of continued vigilance.
‘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.’
– Foster Mohale, health spokesperson.
South Africa has also received Mpox vaccines as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s response. More than 10 000 Mpox vaccines were donated to the National Health Department by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in July.
Gauteng’s Health Department said on Tuesday that it had 586 vaccine doses in stock, stored in dedicated freezers at regional pharmacies for distribution to clinics when required. With 18 of the country’s 22 confirmed cases currently linked to the Western Cape, the latest figures put the province firmly at the centre of South Africa’s Mpox monitoring efforts.
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