Health Department warns of rise in MPOX cases in SA
The National Health Department has warned of the rapid increase in MPOX cases, with 18 confirmed cases and one probable case recorded across South Africa.
The department says the Western Cape has recorded the highest number of cases, while three have been reported in Gauteng and one in KwaZulu-Natal.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale says people who have been in close contact with an infected person are urged to monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days and seek medical attention if they become ill.
Breaking News: The National Health Department has warned of a rapid increase in MPOX cases, with 18 confirmed cases and one probable case recorded across South Africa. pic.twitter.com/69qat0vFrd — SABC News (@SABCNews) September 18, 2026 Mohale says they are also investigating a recent case involving a person who returned from Spain a week ago.
“Individuals and communities are urged to support those diagnosed with MPOX and those suspected of being infected with the virus, because stigma and discrimination have the potential to undermine an outbreak response by deterring people from seeking medical care on time,” says Mohale. -Reporting by Nonhlanhla Ntshingila RELATED VIDEO | Mpox Outbreak | Africa’s struggle for vaccines mirrors COVID-19-era disparities
5News aggregated this summary from the outlet’s public feed. The full article, with all the context, is on www.sabcnews.com — the content belongs to SABC News.
