South Africa reports 22 confirmed mpox cases

South Africa’s confirmed mpox cases have risen to 22, according to the Department of Health. The majority of infections, 18 cases, are concentrated in the Western Cape, with three cases in Gauteng and one in KwaZulu-Natal.

The recent increase includes two imported cases involving German and Norwegian nationals, as well as a 47-year-old Cape Town man whose case was confirmed following laboratory results from Spain. Most confirmed patients are men between the ages of 23 and 50.

In response, the Border Management Authority has implemented thermal scanning and health declarations at ports of entry. Health officials are working with the World Health Organization and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to conduct contact tracing and manage limited supplies of the Tecovirimat vaccine. Authorities have urged the public to monitor for symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and skin lesions.