{
  "id": 15388076,
  "title": "South Africa records 4 new mpox cases as total climbs to 26",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/south-africa-records-4-new-mpox-cases-as-total-climbs-to-26",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T09:16:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa-records-new-mpox-cases-total-climbs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Africa has reported four new laboratory-confirmed mpox cases, raising the total number of infections to 26 since the beginning of 2026, according to the Health Department. The provinces of Western Cape have seen the majority of cases, with 18 of the 26 total infections linked to local transmission. Of the 26 cases, 25 are male individuals aged between 23 and 50 years, with a median age of 37 years. Of the 17 cases for which clade and lineage information is available, 13 are associated with Clade Ib and 4 with Clade IIb of the mpox virus.\n\nThe Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale emphasized the importance of public awareness and urged individuals to seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms such as rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, or fatigue. People who may have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case should monitor their health closely for 21 days and avoid close contact with others if symptoms develop. The department also urged healthcare workers to remain vigilant when assessing patients with possible mpox symptoms, following strict infection prevention and control protocols.\n\nThe department stressed that mpox is both preventable and treatable, and advised the public to avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with those exhibiting mpox-like rashes, as well as refraining from sharing bedding, towels, clothing, or personal items with affected individuals. The Health Department, in collaboration with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), provincial health authorities, and other stakeholders, will continue to strengthen surveillance, case finding, and contact tracing efforts to contain the further spread of mpox in South Africa.",
  "summary": "The cases have been detected across five provinces, with the Western Cape accounting for the majority of infections.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "To educate or 'educare'? Why South Africa must nurture its future citizens",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/to-educate-or-educare-why-south-africa-must-nurture-its-future",
        "published": "2026-10-18T04:25:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Australia vs South Africa LIVE: All eyes on selectors as Australia chases series win in Gqeberha",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/australia-vs-south-africa-live-all-eyes-on-selectors-as-australia",
        "published": "2026-10-18T07:01:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Australia vs South Africa LIVE: All eyes on selectors as Australia chases series win in Gqeberha",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/australia-vs-south-africa-live-all-eyes-on-selectors-as-australia-15368231",
        "published": "2026-10-18T07:01:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}