Erongo mpox and Omaheke CCHF outbreaks successfully contained

The health ministry has officially declared the end of the mpox outbreak in the Swakopmund district as well as the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) outbreak in the Omaheke region.

Following months without any new infections, health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao yesterday announced that the outbreaks had been successfully contained following a coordinated national response and strict disease surveillance.

“The Ministry of Health and Social Services is pleased to officially inform the public and all stakeholders that the recent disease outbreaks in the Erongo and Omaheke regions have been successfully contained."

The mpox outbreak in the Swakopmund district of the Erongo region was first declared on 19 October 2025, after the first laboratory-confirmed case was recorded a day earlier.

Authorities confirmed a total of three infections during the outbreak. “All patients made a full recovery and were discharged from isolation on 12 November 2025,” the ministry said, adding that none of the cases were fatal.

The final confirmed case was reported on 21 October.

According to guidance from the World Health Organisation and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, an outbreak can be declared over after a specified period passes without new infections. In this case, the ministry confirmed that no new cases were detected over 90 consecutive days, sufficient evidence proving the end of transmission.

CCHF claims one life

Authorities also confirmed the end of the CCHF outbreak in the Omaheke region. The outbreak was declared on 28 November 2025 after a case was laboratory-confirmed on 21 November.

CCHF is a viral haemorrhagic fever primarily transmitted through tick bites or contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals or livestock. “Regrettably, the single confirmed patient succumbed to the disease,” the ministry confirmed, adding that a “dignified, safe burial was conducted by trained personnel adhering to safety protocols".

Health authorities explained that transmission is considered interrupted after two incubation periods, a total of 28 days, pass without additional infections.

“Following the initial case, no additional infections were recorded, and all identified contacts completed their monitoring period successfully,” the ministry said.

Officials said the containment of both outbreaks was made possible through rapid public health interventions, including the activation of national and regional health emergency management committees, extensive contact tracing and monitoring, and strengthened disease surveillance.

Other measures included active case finding, immediate laboratory testing, community awareness campaigns, and targeted education for farmers on safe animal handling, as well as veterinary assessments and tick control interventions.

Continued monitoring

While the outbreaks have been declared over, the ministry stressed that disease surveillance systems "remain on high alert".

“We are committed to ensuring timely detection and prompt management of any future potential cases in accordance with established guidelines.”

The ministry also thanked health workers, government institutions, development partners, community leaders, the media and the public for their role in containing the outbreaks.