Namibia declares mpox outbreak after confirmed case in Swakopmund
Namibia’s Health Ministry confirmed the first mpox case in Swakopmund, saying the patient is stable and isolated as authorities trace contacts and monitor possible cross-border links.
Namibia has declared an mpox outbreak after confirming a case in Swakopmund, Erongo region, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has announced.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that causes fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash that develops into painful, pus-filled lesions. The virus belongs to the same family as smallpox and spreads through close contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated materials.
More To Read
- Windhoek’s Old Location was a place of pain, but also joy - new book
- Wildfires burn over 30 per cent of Etosha National Park in Namibia
- Namibia contains massive Etosha Park wildfire after devastating 34 per cent of reserve
- Lion chase triggers stampede that kills 90 buffaloes in Namibia’s Zambezi region
- Mpox cases in Africa surpass 190,000, deaths near 2,000: Africa CDC
- Mpox deaths near 2,000 in Africa since 2024 amid recent decline in cases: Africa CDC
In a public notice posted on Facebook on Sunday, Health Minister Esperance Luvindao said the patient is stable and has been isolated for treatment.
"The patient is receiving comprehensive treatment and is isolated at the Swakopmund District Hospital in stable condition," the notice reads.
Cross-border travel
Preliminary investigations suggest the infection may be linked to cross-border travel within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
"In line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols, one confirmed case of Mpox constitutes an outbreak. The identification of additional cases and monitoring of immediate contacts is ongoing through the health authorities in the Erongo region," said Luvindao.
She assured the public that Namibia is well-prepared to handle such health emergencies.
"In addition, isolation facilities across the country are readily available or have been repurposed to accommodate and admit expected infectious diseases that may require hospitalisation," she added.
Last month, the WHO declared that Mpox is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in Africa, citing a sustained decline in cases and deaths in heavily affected countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.
Between January 1 and June 22, 2025, the WHO recorded 24,012 confirmed Mpox cases and 91 deaths across 21 African countries, representing a fatality rate of 0.4 per cent.
Despite this overall decline, Mpox remains a concern in the region. In Kenya, the Ministry of Health had reported over 314 confirmed cases by early August 2025 across 22 counties.
Recent updates indicate the number has now surpassed 330 cases in at least 24 counties, with nearly half recorded in Mombasa—underscoring the need for continued vigilance across neighbouring nations.
Top Stories Today
