The majority (15) of these cases were reported in the Western Cape, City of Cape Town in particular, 3 in Gauteng and 1 in KwaZulu-Natal. Of concern is that 13 of the total cases were recorded between 13 August and 17 September, which suggests a rapid local transmission of this preventable viral infection. All cases/patients range in age from 23 to 50 years, with a median age of 36.5 years, and 18 of them are males with only 1 female.

One of the most recent cases involved an individual who travelled to Spain earlier this month and returned to South Africa on 14 September. This person underwent testing in Spain after being informed of his probable case status. South African health authorities are in are contact with the Spanish counterparts regarding laboratory test results of the individual to confirm his mpox status.

Mpox cases may present in any person who was in close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus in the last few days (up to 21 days) and will present by displaying similar symptoms.

The importance of continued surveillance, early detection, and public cooperation cannot be overemphasised in preventing further transmission. Mpox is a viral disease that can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. Members of the public are reminded of mpox symptoms which include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue and rash or skin lesions that may appear on the face, hands, feet, genitals or other body parts. Typically, the skin lesions start as flat red spots before progressing to bumps, followed by fluid-filled blisters, then pus filled bumps and eruptions into crusted scabs.

The symptoms usually appear within 6 to 13 days after exposure but can range from 5 to 21 days. Therefore, anyone experiencing these symptoms, particularly if they have had close contact with a confirmed case or a suspected case, should seek medical attention immediately and avoid close contact with others.

Mpox is transmitted mainly through close physical contact with an infected person, including skin-to-skin contact with the rash or lesions, and contact with contaminated materials such as bedding, clothing, or towels used by an infected person.

Mpox-positive persons can also transmit the virus through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact, uncovered coughing or sneezing. Vigilance remains essential, particularly in households, healthcare settings and among close social networks. Hand hygiene through frequent washing or use of sanitisers is one of the effective methods to prevent the spread of the virus.

The government, through the support of the World Health Organization, has secured limited doses of mpox vaccines (MVA-BN) and treatment (Tecovirimat) as part of its outbreak response strategy to disrupt local transmission. The health authorities will decide where and how to use these does to contain outbreaks. Vaccination should be accompanied by continued adherence to preventive measures.

Individuals and communities are urged to support those diagnosed with mpox and those suspected of being infected with the virus, because stigma and discrimination have the potential to undermine an outbreak response by deterring people from seeking medical care.

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Published on Monday, 14 September 2026 in Nature Microbiology, the researchers also found that older adults and young children are more vulnerable during periods of high air pollution, and that improving air quality could lower disease risk. They also suggest that understanding what type of bacterial strains are circulating and how environmental factors shape infection rates could inform future public health policies, protect those most at risk, and prepare hospitals for outbreaks.

S. pneumoniae is found in the respiratory microbiome, the collection of microbes that live in the human nose and throat, in almost 20 per cent of adults globally1. While many adults and children carry the bacteria without any symptoms, when S. pneumoniae gets into the lower respiratory tract or bloodstream, it can lead to invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD).

IPD includes bacterial sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. It is a major cause of disease and death globally and often peaks during colder months. In South Africa, there were over 1800 reported cases of IPD in 20223, and in England, the UK Health Security Agency reports that there are more than 5,000 cases per year, particularly impacting children under the age of five, people over 65 years old, and those with underlying conditions. There are currently over 100 different serotypes, which are specific subtypes of S. pneumoniae.

While it is known that different subtypes of S. pneumoniae can lead to varying infection rates in different populations, important gaps remain in our collective understanding of how things such as humidity, temperature, and air pollution impact the timing of disease, and how risks vary by individual age and bacterial subtype.

The study examined around 59,000 cases of IPD across 19 years from South Africa’s national GERMS-SA surveillance programme.  In South Africa, between 40-60 per cent of children carry S. pneumoniae.

The researchers found that different subtypes of S. pneumoniae responded differently to higher air pollution exposure, noting three subtypes (14, 19A, and 8) were linked to the greatest risk of IPD following exposure.

Professor Anne von Gottberg, co-senior author at the NICD, said: “Invasive pneumococcal diseases are a significant public health issue in South Africa and globally. This research adds to the ongoing evidence that air quality greatly impacts our health and shows that it has different effects depending on the strain of bacteria that is found in an area. We need to focus on monitoring and improving air quality in areas with high disease risk to prevent or reduce some of these infections.”

Professor Rachel Lowe, co-senior author at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and the Catalan Institution for Research & Advanced Studies, said: “Climate change and rapid urbanisation are fundamentally altering the environmental conditions that influence risk of infectious disease. By linking long-term climate and air quality monitoring with health outcomes, this work highlights how shifting environmental patterns can amplify public health risks. Protecting communities most at risk will require cross-sector collaboration and adaptive health strategies that can keep pace with a changing environment.”

Dr Sophie Belman, first author previously at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and Barcelona Supercomputing Center, currently at Yale School of Public Health, said: “While we found that temperature and air pollution generally increase the risk of invasive pneumococcal diseases, such as bacterial meningitis, our research also suggests that it is the bacterial subtypes a person is carrying that modulate infection rates. The strain of bacteria impacts the timing of disease and who might be more at risk depending on their respiratory microbiome, meaning that the risk is not the same in every situation or for every person. By extending our findings to other parts of the globe, we will better understand who has the highest health risk from environmental exposures, and what factors need to be addressed in different regions, such as improving air quality in cities.”

For enquiries and interview requests, please send a request to: Media@nicd.ac.za.

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As part of these celebrations, the NCR will host a 40th Anniversary Symposium and Gala, which will reflect on four decades of cancer surveillance, highlight the importance of cancer data and surveillance, and look towards the future of cancer prevention and control in South Africa. Cancer remains an important public health challenge, and reliable data is essential to understanding who is affected, which cancers are most common, where the burden is greatest, and how cancer trends change over time.

For 40 years, the NCR has contributed to this evidence base through tracking cancer incidence across South Africa; collecting, analysing and reporting cancer statistics to strengthen understanding of the country’s cancer burden; supporting the Department of Health and other stakeholders in cancer prevention, control and care initiatives; and informing cancer policy and guidelines in South Africa.

The symposium will provide media an opportunity to hear from cancer surveillance experts, gain insight into four decades of cancer data and its impact on public health, and explore the future of cancer surveillance in South Africa.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover this significant milestone in South Africa’s public health history.

Event details:

• Date: Thursday, 10 September 2026
• Time: 09:00–15:00
• Arrival time: 08:30
• Venue: 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham. National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), PRF Auditorium.

READ THE FULL MEDIA STATEMENT HERE

South African stakeholders have once again come together through the National Rabies Advisory Group, joining forces in the fight against rabies. We aim to create awareness around rabies and the animal and public health impact this deadly disease has, using multiple platforms. Be on the lookout for the national social media campaign in September 2026.

Rabies remains one of the world’s deadliest yet most preventable diseases. This year’s World Rabies Day theme, ‘Stronger Together’, reminds us that eliminating rabies requires partnership at every level. Communities, pet owners, veterinary and para-veterinary professionals, healthcare workers, government departments, policymakers and partner organisations each have a critical role in rabies elimination.

Rabies prevention depends on coordinated human, animal and environmental health systems working together in support of each other.

Core rabies messages

Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is preventable through vaccination and prompt post-exposure treatment.

• Although Rabies is 99.9% fatal once a person or animal shows clinical signs, it is also 100% preventable through vaccination of our pets and timely and correct treatment of exposed humans.
• Rabies is a deadly disease with no cure once symptoms appear. It can be transmitted to people by an infected animal’s bite, scratch, or lick. If a person is bitten, scratched, or licked by an animal suspected to have rabies (an animal showing odd behaviour or neurological symptoms), the person needs to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 10 minutes and seek medical attention immediately. Post-exposure prophylaxis treatment will involve a series of rabies vaccinations and rabies immunoglobulin being injected into the wound (if the skin has been broken).
• If your dogs and cats are vaccinated annually against rabies, they form a protective barrier for your family and protect you. The same is true if everyone in your community ensures that their dogs and cats are vaccinated annually.
• Rabies vaccines that are registered for use in South Africa are safe to use in your dogs and cats and should be administered through a registered veterinary professional.
• Legally, every pet owner must have their dogs and cats vaccinated to protect both humans and animals against rabies. The first rabies vaccine is given at 12 weeks (three months) of age, followed by a booster vaccination one month later. A booster can be given up to 12 months later, but one month later is the recommended option. Thereafter, a booster is legally required every three years. In high-risk areas, annual vaccination is strongly advised!
• Remember that any mammal can become infected with rabies – this includes pets, wildlife, livestock, and humans. Typical wildlife species that can host rabies include jackals, foxes, mongooses, aardwolf and cape fur seals, amongst others.
• Dogs and cats are often moved between provinces by travellers, workers, or holiday-goers, which can easily cause the spread of rabies to any area if these animals are not vaccinated against rabies and are incubating the disease.

Enquire with your local state or private veterinarian, animal health technician or welfare organisation. State veterinary office contact details are available at: https://www.nda.gov.za/index.php/component/content/article/451-provincial-veterinary-services-contacts

A list of all registered veterinary facilities is available at: https://savc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/FacilityRegisterPublish_July-2026.pdf

Vaccinate your dogs and cats, support campaigns, share accurate information, educate others and strengthen community protection. For more information about rabies, visit here.

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Rotavirus is a common childhood diarrhoeal infection that has a seasonal pattern, peaking during the cooler, drier months of the year. Most children have at least one infection by two years of age.  The virus is transmitted via the faecal-oral route. “Clinical symptoms include the sudden onset of vomiting followed by non-bloody watery diarrhoea, which may result in severe life-threatening dehydration. Fever may occur in approximately 30-50% of patients. Associated symptoms include loss of appetite (anorexia), lethargy, and mild abdominal discomfort,” said Prof. Nicola Page, head of the Centre for Enteric Diseases at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.

Since the rotavirus vaccine was introduced into the expanded programme of immunisation in August 2009, the annual rotavirus season in South Africa typically occurs from July to August and may extend into September.

Diarrhoeal syndromic surveillance is conducted at five sites as part of the GERMS-SA platform (Pelonomi Hospital, Free State; Klerksdorp/Tshepong hospitals, North West; Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Western Cape; Kabokweni Clinic, Mpumalanga and Kalafong Hospital, Gauteng). The surveillance targets all patients presenting for the treatment of diarrhoea at participating sites.

“Parents should also watch for signs of early to moderate dehydration, including no tears, dry mouth, sunken soft spot or eyes, fewer wet nappies (no wet nappy for previous 6-8 hours), and behaviour changes like unusual fussiness, listlessness and lethargy or refusal to eat or drink. In these children, parents could increase fluid intake or, if concerned, proceed to the nearest clinic or health facility,” warned Prof. Page.

Children with severe dehydration may become excessively sleepy or limp, produce dark urine, have cold or discoloured skin, exhibit fast breathing or heartbeat and their skin will form a tent when pinched and be slow to return to normal. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency, and these children should be taken to the nearest medical facility or clinic immediately, administering oral rehydration solution on the way, if possible. Prompt recognition of dehydration and rapid treatment will prevent prolonged hospitalisation, complications and even death.

For more information about rotavirus, visit the NICD website here.

READ THE FULL MEDIA STATEMENT HERE

Recent social media posts claiming that the NICD has confirmed a Typhoid fever outbreak in Tshwane are misleading. Please refer to https://www.nicd.ac.za/typhoid-fever-updates/ for an accurate report of the number of cases identified within the country.

We urge the public to verify health information before sharing it and to rely on the NICD website and official social media platforms for accurate, up-to-date public health information.

Influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 is now recognised globally as one of the regular seasonal influenza strains that circulate each year and management is the same as for other seasonal influenza strains. For healthy individuals, the illness is mild to moderate and can be safely managed at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medication.

Common symptoms of influenza may include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle and body aches, fatigue and runny or blocked nose. Many people recover fully within a few days to a week without requiring hospitalisation or antiviral treatment. However, certain groups are at higher risk of severe illness or complications. These include pregnant women, older persons, young children, and individuals with underlying medical conditions such as HIV, TB, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or chronic lung disease.

People in these high-risk groups are encouraged to seek medical attention early if they develop flu symptoms, particularly if they experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, dehydration, persistent fever, or worsening illness.

The NICD continues to strongly recommend annual influenza vaccination as the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalisation. Vaccination is especially important for vulnerable groups and healthcare workers.

The public can also help reduce the spread of influenza by practising simple everyday prevention measures such as:

• Wash hands regularly with soap and water
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or bent elbow
• Stay home when sick to avoid infecting others
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• Ensure indoor spaces are well ventilated where possible

The Department and the NICD will continue to monitor influenza trends through national surveillance systems.

Weekly updates on influenza and other circulating respiratory viruses such as RSV, COVID-19, and pertussis are available from the NICD. Click here to visit the page.

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While the ship was travelling past South African shores, some of the passengers experienced serious health complications arising from what was initially considered severe acute respiratory infections.

The ship, carrying about 147 individuals (88 passengers from various countries, and 59 crew members) had departed Ushuaia, Southern Argentina, for Canary Islands on 1 Apr 2026. Enroute to its destination, the ship went past several islands, including mainland Antarctica, Falklands, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan, St Helena, and Ascension

In terms of medical cases, the first patient was a 70-year-old male passenger who suddenly became ill in the ship enroute from Ushuaia to St Helena Island, and presented with fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. Unfortunately, he passed away on arrival at St Helena Island. His mortal remains are in St Helena, awaiting repatriation to the Netherlands.

The second affected passenger was a 69-year-old female, the spouse to the first patient, who collapsed at the OR Tambo International Airport while trying to connect a flight to her home country of the Netherlands. She was taken to a nearby health facility around Kempton Park for medical attention and unfortunately passed away. Her laboratory test result was positive for Hantavirus.

The third patient, a British national, also became ill while the ship was travelling from St Helena to Ascension. Despite medical treatment provided to him at Ascension, his condition did not improve and necessitated his medical evacuation to a South African private health facility in Sandton for further medical management. His laboratory test results came back positive for Hantavirus – a rare but potentially deadly virus transmitted primarily by rodents. The patient is still in critical condition in isolation, but receiving medical attention.

The Department is working with the NICD and Gauteng Health Department authorities to conduct contact tracing to stop potential spread of the virus by identifying and monitoring individuals who may have been exposed to the infected persons.

In our view, there is no need for the public to panic because only two patients from the cruise ship have been within our borders. The World Health Organization is coordinating a multi-country response with all affected islands and countries to contain further spread of the disease.

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In the first three months of 2026, Gauteng recorded 414 confirmed malaria cases and 11 deaths. While these figures are concerning and require increased public awareness and prompt healthcare action, most of these cases are imported. This means the infections were acquired in the malaria-endemic regions of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, or through international travel to malaria-endemic locations, and diagnosed after individuals returned to the Gauteng province.

In South Africa, malaria transmission is mainly confined to the low-altitude areas of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga, where malaria-transmitting mosquitoes occur and environmental conditions support ongoing transmission. Provinces such as Gauteng are not considered malaria-endemic, but imported malaria cases are frequently identified, particularly among travellers returning from affected areas within South Africa and elsewhere. In areas like Gauteng, where malaria-transmitting mosquitoes do not occur, people infected with malaria cannot transmit malaria to others.

Recent heavy rains and flooding across the region have increased malaria risk in endemic provinces in South Africa. For example, Mpumalanga alone reported more than 300 cases in January 2026, while neighbouring malaria-endemic countries have also seen a rise in infections. These conditions highlight the importance of heightened awareness, especially during and after the rainy season.

Malaria is both preventable and treatable, but it can progress rapidly to severe illness and death if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Travellers to malaria-endemic areas should take preventive measures seriously, including the use of appropriate malaria chemoprophylaxis for moderate- to high-risk destinations. Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, body aches, or fatigue after recent travel to a malaria-endemic area – whether within South Africa or elsewhere in Africa – should seek medical attention immediately and request a malaria test. This applies even to those who have taken preventive medication, as no prophylactic is 100% effective. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment save lives.

For additional guidance on malaria prevention, symptoms, and treatment, click here.

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The 2026 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season also started in the week of 9 March 2026. The fact that both the flu and RSV seasons are starting at the same time means clinicians could potentially see a high burden of patients with respiratory illness in medical facilities in the coming weeks.

Influenza A(H3N2), A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B are common seasonal influenza strains in humans. The majority of people with influenza present with mild illness, which usually resolves within three to seven days. However, influenza may cause severe illness, leading to hospitalisation or possibly death, especially among those at risk of severe illness or complications.

Influenza vaccination is recommended to protect against infection and severe illness. Ideally, the influenza vaccine should be administered prior to the start of the influenza season as it takes about two weeks for an adequate immune response to develop following vaccination. However, it is not too late to vaccinate once the season has begun. The influenza vaccine will be available in pharmacies from the first week of April. The early start to the season means that this year, the vaccine is only becoming available as the season is getting started, so members of the public who fall into groups at high risk for severe influenza are urged to get their vaccines as soon as possible.

Weekly updates on influenza and other circulating respiratory viruses such as RSV, COVID-19, and pertussis are available from the NICD. Click here to visit the page.

READ THE FULL MEDIA STATEMENT HERE