The Department of Health has confirmed four mpox (monkeypox virus) cases in South Africa, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 26 since 1 January.

The Western Cape accounts for the majority of cases with 18 confirmed infections, followed by Gauteng with three, the Eastern Cape with two, the Free State with two, and KwaZulu-Natal with one.

Of the 18 Western Cape cases, two involved foreign nationals visiting South Africa, while local transmission accounts for the remaining 16 cases.

The department said 25 of the 26 cases are male, with ages ranging from 23 to 50 years. The median age stands at 37 years.

Clade and lineage information is available for 17 cases. Of these, 13 are associated with the Clade Ib mpox virus and four with Clade IIb.

The department urged people to remain vigilant and seek medical help immediately if they develop symptoms such as a rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue.

People who have been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected mpox case should inform healthcare workers and monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days.

“Should symptoms develop, they should avoid close contact with others and seek medical attention,” the department said in a statement.

The department reminded the public that mpox is a preventable and treatable viral infection. People should avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has an mpox-like rash, and not share bedding, towels, clothing or other personal items with affected individuals.

Healthcare workers are urged to maintain a high index of suspicion and follow infection prevention and control protocols when managing suspected cases.

The department said it will continue working closely with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, provincial health authorities and other stakeholders to strengthen surveillance, case finding, contact tracing, risk communication and community engagement to contain further spread of mpox.