[CLSTR]
< Back to situation

[REVISION HISTORY]

Global mpox resurgence and South African case surge

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-23 09:01 UTC → 2026-10-19 06:52 UTC · added removed

Guinea-Bissau is experiencing its first mpox outbreak, with significant concern regarding the vulnerability of children. As of mid-August 2026, there were 46 suspected cases, half of which involved children. While seven cases had been confirmed among adults, health officials noted a lack of epidemiological links, suggesting undetected transmission chains. UNICEF described the country’s health surveillance system as ‘extremely fragile’ and warned that the reopening of schools could increase transmission. On a broader scale, mpox is seeing a global resurgence. Data from the World Health Organization indicates that between early 2022 and late May 2026, over 187,000 confirmed cases and 510 deaths were recorded across 144 countries. Africa remains the most heavily impacted region, accounting for 76 percent of global cases reported in May 2026. Concerns have risen regarding the spread of the clade 1b variant, which has established local transmission in Africa and Europe. Other regional hotspots include Madagascar and the United States. In South Africa, authorities are responding to an accelerating outbreak. As of September 23, October 18, 2026, the Department of Health has reported 22 26 confirmed cases. The majority of infections are concentrated in the Western Cape, with three which has recorded 18 cases, including 16 linked to local transmission. Other cases have been identified in Gauteng Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, the Free State, and one in KwaZulu-Natal. The recent surge includes imported Of the confirmed cases, 25 affect men aged between 23 and 50. Regarding viral lineage, 13 cases involving German are associated with Clade Ib and Norwegian nationals, as well as a 47-year-old man in Cape Town whose case was confirmed following laboratory results from Spain. four with Clade IIb. In response, the Border Management Authority has implemented thermal scanning and health declarations at ports of entry. Health officials are also working with the WHO and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to manage contact tracing and limited supplies of the Tecovirimat vaccine.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-19 06:52 UTC Global mpox resurgence and South African case surge
  2. 2026-09-23 09:01 UTC Global mpox resurgence and South African case surge
  3. 2026-09-21 08:51 UTC Global mpox resurgence and South African case surge
  4. 2026-09-19 08:54 UTC Global mpox resurgence and South African case surge
  5. 2026-09-18 07:01 UTC Global mpox resurgence and Guinea-Bissau outbreak
  6. 2026-08-28 06:32 UTC Global mpox resurgence and Guinea-Bissau outbreak

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.