CAPE TOWN, Western Cape — South Africa is intensifying its public health response after recording 13 new Mpox cases in August and September, bringing the national total of reported infections to 18. Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale has urged immediate public vigilance and cooperation to curb the rapid transmission of the preventable disease.
The recent surge marks a notable increase from the earlier part of the year, with only five cases recorded between January and August. The majority of the new infections have been identified in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal. Health authorities are also currently awaiting laboratory results for an additional case involving an individual with recent travel history to Spain. Mohale noted that the total number of cases may rise further as the department awaits confirmed laboratory testing for individuals currently undergoing contact tracing.
Expressing concern over the accelerated transmission rate, particularly in and around the city of Cape Town, Mohale announced that the national department has initiated a “deep dive” investigation. This collaborative effort involves provincial health counterparts in the Western Cape, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The objective is to zoom into the affected areas, identify the epicenter of the outbreak, and speak directly with those impacted to break the chain of transmission.
Preliminary reports from contact tracing and surveillance activities indicate that a recent social gathering event likely served as the epicenter for this cluster. Mpox is known to transmit from person to person through close physical contact and the sharing of contaminated items. In response, health officials are rapidly broadening their contact tracing nets to screen and test as many potentially exposed individuals as possible.
Despite the sudden spike, Mohale emphasized that the situation remains under control. The outbreak is currently confined to specific areas within Cape Town rather than spreading across the entire province. Furthermore, South Africa has not recorded any Mpox-related mortality during this period, a statistic the department is committed to preserving.
To maintain this trajectory, the Department of Health is issuing a strong warning against self-diagnosis and delayed medical care. Mohale specifically highlighted a tendency among men to delay presenting themselves at healthcare facilities, often attempting to self-prescribe over-the-counter medications from pharmacies instead.
The public is advised to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest healthcare facility if they experience any Mpox-related symptoms. These include fever, fatigue, body pains, and the development of abnormal, thick rashes or lesions. These skin manifestations can spread across various parts of the body, including the face, hands, feet, and genitals.
Mohale reassured the public that both vaccines and effective treatments are readily available to manage the disease and prevent serious health complications.
Beyond medical intervention, the spokesperson issued a passionate plea for community solidarity. Individuals identified as close contacts are urged to cooperate fully with healthcare workers, whose primary goal is to assist them and halt the virus’s spread. Mohale stressed that the public must actively support, rather than discriminate against or stigmatize, those who have tested positive or are suspected contacts. Encouraging open access to treatment and vaccination without fear of judgment is vital to making the country a safer place and preventing South Africa from becoming a broader epicenter for the virus.
