Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link

Disclaimer: Early release articles are not considered as final versions. Any changes will be reflected in the online version in the month the article is officially released.

Volume 32, Number 7—July 2026

Dispatch

Cluster of Human Tanapox Cases in Wildlife Reserve, South Africa, 2024

Monica BirkheadComments to Author , Antoinette A. Grobbelaar, Daniel Morobadi, Hlupi D. Mpangani, Julia Dabrowski, Kamini Govender, Lucille H. Blumberg, Mandla Zwane, Naazneen Moolla, Naume D. Tebeila, Nevashan Govender, Terry Marshall, Veerle Dermaux-Msimang, Wayne Grayson, and Jacqueline Weyer
Author affiliation: National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa (M. Birkhead, A.A. Grobbelaar, K. Govender, L.H. Blumberg, N. Moolla, N.D. Tebeila, N. Govender, V. Dermaux-Msimang, J. Weyer); Ampath Laboratories Ltd., Centurion, South Africa (D. Morobadi, T. Marshall, W. Grayson); Mpumalanga Department of Health, Mbombela, South Africa (H.D. Mpangani, M. Zwane); Hoedspruit Family Practice, Hoedspruit, South Africa (J. Dabrowski); Right to Care, Johannesburg (L.H. Blumberg); University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa (L.H. Blumberg); University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa (L.H. Blumberg, N. Moolla, J. Weyer); University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (N. Moolla, W. Grayson, J. Weyer)

Main Article

Table

Epidemiologic data of patients in a cluster of human tanapox cases in wildlife reserve, South Africa, 2024

Case no. Age, y/sex Location Symptom onset date No. lesions Body part affected Laboratory-confirmed*
1 12/M KNP staff residence Feb 8 8 Elbow, hand, finger Y
2 33/F KNP staff residence Feb 8 1 Shin Y
3 43/F KNP staff residence Feb 19 1 Knee Y
4 41/M KNP staff residence Early Feb 2 Fingers N
5 38/M KNP staff residence Feb 10 1 Back of knee Y
6 34/M KNP staff residence Feb 19 1 Big toe Y
7 58/M KNP staff residence Feb 27 1 Knee Y
8† 47/M Open camp, KNP Mar 3 3 Elbow, hand Y
9 33/M KNP staff residence Mar 13 1 Hand Y
10‡ >30/M Private camp, greater KNP Unknown Unknown Unknown N
11‡ >30/M Private camp, greater KNP Unknown Unknown Unknown Y

*Confirmed by PCR and sequencing of dry swab sample of lesion, following previously described methods (3). KNP, Kruger National Park. †Lesion swab sample accompanied by skin punch biopsy for electron microscopy. ‡No complete questionnaire submitted with lesion swab sample.

Main Article

References
  1. McInnes  CJ, Damon  IK, Smith  GL, McFadden  G, Isaacs  SN, Roper  RL, et al. ICTV virus taxonomy profile: Poxviridae 2023. J Gen Virol. 2023;104:001849. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  2. Obermeier  PE, Buder  SC, Hillen  U. Poxvirus infections in dermatology—the neglected, the notable, and the notorious. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2024;22:56–93. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  3. Birkhead  M, Grayson  W, Grobbelaar  A, Msimang  V, Moolla  N, Mathee  A, et al. Tanapox, South Africa, 2022. Emerg Infect Dis. 2023;29:1206–9. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  4. Downie  AW, Taylor-Robinson  CH, Caunt  AE, Nelson  GS, Manson-Bahr  PEC, Matthews  TCH. Tanapox: a new disease caused by a pox virus. BMJ. 1971;1:363–8. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  5. Jezek  Z, Arita  I, Szczeniowski  M, Paluku  KM, Kalisa  R, Nakano  JH. Human tanapox in Zaire: clinical and epidemiological observations on cases confirmed by laboratory studies. Bull World Health Organ. 1985;63:1027–35.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  6. Stich  A, Meyer  H, Köhler  B, Fleischer  K. Tanapox: first report in a European traveller and identification by PCR. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2002;96:178–9. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  7. Croitoru  AG, Birge  MB, Rudikoff  D, Tan  MH, Phelps  RG. Tanapox virus infection. Skinmed. 2002;1:156–7. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  8. Dhar  AD, Werchniak  AE, Li  Y, Brennick  JB, Goldsmith  CS, Kline  R, et al. Tanapox infection in a college student. N Engl J Med. 2004;350:361–6. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  9. Monroe  BP, Nakazawa  YJ, Reynolds  MG, Carroll  DS. Estimating the geographic distribution of human tanapox and potential reservoirs using ecological niche modeling. Int J Health Geogr. 2014;13:34. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  10. Downie  AW. Serological evidence of infection with Tana and Yaba pox viruses among several species of monkey. J Hyg (Lond). 1974;72:245–50. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  11. Suryawanshi  YR, Zhang  T, Razi  F, Essani  K. Tanapoxvirus: from discovery towards oncolytic immunovirotherapy. J Cancer Res Ther. 2020;16:708–12. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  12. National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Diseases A–Z index: tanapox [cited 2026 Mar 12]. https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/tanapox

Main Article

Page created: May 21, 2026
Page updated: June 17, 2026
Page reviewed: June 17, 2026
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
file_external