The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed 10 new cases of Mpox, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Ghana this year to 19.According to GHS, five patients are currently on admission and receiving treatment but no deaths have been recorded so far.The GHS, however, indicated that efforts were underway to contain the outbreak including contact tracing, enhanced surveillance across all 16 regions, capacity-building, and public sensitisation initiatives.It assured the public that there was no cause for alarm but urged Ghanaians to adhere to preventive measures.These include regular hand hygiene, avoiding close skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals, and promptly reporting symptoms to the nearest health facility.Mpox is a viral illness similar to smallpox and is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person's skin or bodily fluids, including sexual contact.
It typically causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash.Common symptoms include fever, skin rash or lesions, fatigue, headaches, muscle and back pain, and swollen glands.Across Africa, Mpox remains a significant public health concern.
As of March 2025, over 24,200 cases and approximately 260 deaths have been recorded in 22 countries.The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been the hardest hit, accounting for a large proportion of both cases and fatalities.The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently called for increased investment in Mpox diagnostics, vaccine research, and public education campaigns across the continent.It has also stressed the importance of de-stigmatising public discourse around the disease in order to ensure that affected individuals are not marginalised or discouraged from seeking care BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
