Namibia declares end of Mpox and CCHF outbreaks after months without new cases
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has officially declared the end of the Mpox outbreak in the Swakopmund district and the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) outbreak in the Omaheke region, following months without any new infections.
Health minister Esperance Luvindao 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 ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
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 no deaths linked to the disease were recorded. The final confirmed case was reported on 21 October 2025.
According to guidance from the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, an outbreak can be declared over after a specified period passes without new infections.
“90 consecutive days had passed since the last confirmed case without any new detections,” the ministry said. “Based on this epidemiological evidence proving the interruption of transmission, the Ministry declares the end of the Mpox outbreak in Swakopmund District, Erongo Region.”
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 2025.
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 said, 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. “Therefore, the Ministry declares the end of the CCHF outbreak in the Omaheke Region.”
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.
While the outbreaks have been declared over, the ministry stressed that disease surveillance systems remain active. “While we have declared an end to these outbreaks, the MoHSS emphasises that our national surveillance systems remain on high alert,” the ministry said. “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.
“The successful containment of these outbreaks is a testament to the collective efforts of many,” the ministry said. “Thank you for your cooperation, resilience, and commitment, which have strengthened Namibia’s public health preparedness and response.”
