Compiled by the ENCLAI research team following a documented methodology · Editorial oversight: Dr Natalya Mathur, Founder · Data last updated: (UTC)

Measles in South Africa: 2026 cases and outbreak reports

Reported measles surveillance for South Africa (ZAF) — — latest record 2026-10-23

What the 2026 data shows

The latest report for South Africa gives an outbreak total of 3,462 measles cases to date. That is a running total since the outbreak began, not a count for 2026. No 2025 figure has been reported.

ENCLAI has logged 27 surveillance records for measles in South Africa in 2026, with the most detailed reporting in Oct 2026 (16 records). 6 of those arrived in the last 30 days; the case counts run to 2026-04-26. 5 distinct surveillance sources reported this pair in 2026.

Reporting authorities for these counts: WHO AFRO Weekly Bulletin on Outbreaks and Other Emergencies · WHO AFRO Weekly Bulletin — cumulative suspected cases

Key facts: Measles

Transmission
Airborne
Droplets and aerosols; contagious in air or on surfaces for up to 2 h. Infectious from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash.Plotkin's 8e · WHO 2026
Incubation
12.5 days (median)
95% CI 11.8–13.2; symptoms usually 7–14 days after exposure (range 7–18).Plotkin's 8e · WHO 2026 · Oxford Hb 2025
Vaccine
MCV, 2 doses · ≈95%
Live attenuated; dose 1 at 9 months where measles is common (12–15 months elsewhere), dose 2 at 15–18 months. Two-dose effectiveness ≈95% (95% CI 89–100).WHO 2026 · Plotkin's 8e

Cited reference facts about the disease, not derived from the surveillance counts on this page. Full set on the Measles page.

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Surveillance summary

2026 cases (YTD)
3,462 (outbreak total to date)
2025 cases (full year)
not reported
Baseline avg (3yr)
N/A
Trend (2025)
—
No 2025 figure

Reported cases by year, South Africa

YearReported casesShare of worldwide reports
2023 not reported —
2024 not reported —
2025 not reported —
2026 (year to date) 3,462 (outbreak total to date) —

Reporting bounds and case definitions vary; historical baselines are a separate comparison measure. Worldwide share compares this country's reported figure with the sum of all countries reporting measles to ENCLAI for that year. "Incomplete year" means our sources cover less than ten months of that year, so no full-year figure is shown; "outbreak total to date" is a running total since an outbreak began, not a count for one year.

Surveillance records logged in 2026

MonthRecordsReporting sources
Apr 202611
Jul 202611
Aug 202642
Sep 202652
Oct 2026163

A record is one dated surveillance publication or one row of an official table; a month with many records is a month with detailed reporting, not necessarily more cases. 6 records were logged in the last 30 days.

Measles in other countries, 2026

Country2026 casesTrend
Guatemala 34,400
Mexico 13,148
Cameroon 9,660 (outbreak total to date)
Nigeria 7,713 ▼ Declining · 2025
United States 2,628 ▲ Rising · 2025

Other diseases reported in South Africa, 2026

Disease2026 casesTrend
Mpox (monkeypox) 18
Diphtheria 10
Cholera 2 (outbreak total to date)

Questions about this page

How many measles cases has South Africa reported in 2026?
The latest report for South Africa gives an outbreak total of 3,462 measles cases to date. That is a running total since the outbreak began, not a count for 2026. No 2025 figure has been reported.
Where does South Africa publish measles surveillance data?
The counts on this page were published by WHO AFRO Weekly Bulletin on Outbreaks and Other Emergencies and WHO AFRO Weekly Bulletin — cumulative suspected cases. ENCLAI compiles and normalises them and is not affiliated with these authorities.

About this data

Figures are reported case counts as published by the originating health authorities, compiled by ENCLAI from 444 verified surveillance sources. South Africa figures reflect the reporting available to ENCLAI; reporting periods and case definitions differ between sources, and a missing report does not establish zero cases. ENCLAI holds measles records for South Africa dated from 2023. How we verify and update data: methodology & Trust Center · understanding case counts.

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The daily disease brief

One email a day: what changed in official disease reporting worldwide, with the source named for every number. Reported facts only — no forecasts and no interpretation.

Double opt-in — we send a confirmation link and nothing else until you click it. One-click unsubscribe on every email. See our privacy notice.