On 21 February 2025, a case of mpox was confirmed in a patient from Gauteng Province with a recent travel history to Kampala, Uganda. This was the first case of mpox associated with the Clade Ib mpox virus recorded in South Africa, and the first mpox case reported since August 2024. Through contact tracing and monitoring a further two cases of mpox were linked to this case. In addition, and as of 14 March, three additional cases of mpox have been confirmed in Gauteng Province, and have also been associated with the Clade Ib mpox virus. This brings the bringing the total to six confirmed cases of mpox in South Africa for 2025 to date. The latest cases involve a 38-year-old male and two of his close contacts, a 33-year-old female and a 14‑year-old male.
The ongoing mpox outbreaks have resulted in the issuing of the status of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (WHO, 2024), as well as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security in Africa (Africa CDC, 2024). The mpox outbreaks are ongoing in 15 out of 55 African Union Member States, with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo currently reporting the highest number of cases (Africa CDC, 2025). Outside of Africa, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Mauritius, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Sweden, Sultanate of Oman, Thailand, The United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States (U.S), United Kingdom (UK), United Arab Emirates and have each reported one confirmed case of clade I mpox. No additional secondary cases have been reported following the initial cases excluding those in the United Kingdom (WHO, 2024).
South Africa remains at risk for introduction of mpox through travellers returning from various locations around the globe where mpox is being reported. Mpox is typically a mild and self-limiting disease with a low case fatality rate. More severe disease, and fatal outcomes, are typically found in persons living with immunodeficiencies, in particular HIV/AIDS.
For more information about mpox and live mpox case statistics, click here.
