Brief
South Africa records four new Mpox cases, total rises to 26
The latest cases are spread across five provinces, with most patients male and aged 23‑50.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Department of Health confirmed four new laboratory‑confirmed Mpox cases on Oct. 19, 2026, raising South Africa's cumulative total to 26 since the start of the year.
What happened
The new cases bring the provincial distribution to 18 in the Western Cape, three in Gauteng, two in the Eastern Cape, two in the Free State and one in KwaZulu‑Natal. Two of the Western Cape cases were imported, involving foreign nationals, while the remaining 16 were linked to local transmission.
What the reports add
The department said 25 of the 26 cases are male, aged 23 to 50, with a median age of 37. Clade information is available for 17 cases: 13 are Clade Ib and four are Clade IIb.
What was said
"The department urges members of the public to remain vigilant and to seek healthcare promptly if they develop symptoms such as a rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue," the department said in a statement, adding that close contacts should monitor themselves for 21 days.
How it came about
The health ministry is working with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and provincial authorities to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing and risk communication.
Key facts
- South Africa's total Mpox cases reached 26 as of Oct. 19, 2026 (bizcommunity.com)
- The new cases are distributed across five provinces, with 18 in Western Cape (bizcommunity.com)
- 25 of the 26 cases are male, aged 23‑50, median age 37 (bizcommunity.com)
- Clade data for 17 cases: 13 Clade Ib, 4 Clade IIb (bizcommunity.com)
- Health department urges vigilance and 21‑day monitoring for contacts (bizcommunity.com)
Sources
- [1] bizcommunity.com — originally reported as “SA records 4 new Mpox cases”
