Namibia has confirmed its first case of mpox in the coastal city of Swakopmund, prompting the government to declare an outbreak and activate emergency response measures.
According to the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the patient is currently in stable condition and receiving treatment in isolation at Swakopmund District Hospital.
Health Minister Esperance Luvindao said investigations revealed that the case may be linked to recent travel across Southern African Development Community (SADC) borders. “All immediate contacts are being traced and monitored while surveillance teams remain on the ground,” the minister noted in an official statement.
Mpox, a viral disease transmitted from animals to humans, continues to affect several countries in the region. Current active outbreaks have been reported in Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Namibia’s health authorities have now intensified monitoring across entry points and health facilities to prevent further spread.