Ghana has confirmed its first case of Mpox in 2024, the health service said Thursday, as authorities ramp up measures to contain the virus amid reports of infections in other African nations.
The case involves a young boy from the Western North Region who showed symptoms including a rash, fever, and body aches, according to a press release from the Ghana Health Service. The child was isolated and treated in accordance with Mpox protocols before being discharged in stable condition.
Health officials have identified 25 people who came into contact with the patient, and they are being closely monitored for signs of infection. “The patient has since been discharged and is in stable condition,” the statement read.
This marks Ghana’s first confirmed Mpox case this year, following eight cases in 2023 and 120 in 2022. Other African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Côte d’Ivoire, have reported cases in 2024.
In response to the outbreak, Ghana has issued alerts to all regions and hospitals, intensified surveillance, and begun sensitizing health workers on Mpox prevention and case management. Personal protective equipment has been mobilized for healthcare staff, and contact tracing efforts have been ramped up.
Additional measures include activating public health emergency committees across the country and enhancing screening at points of entry.
“Public health actions to be undertaken include continuous sensitization of staff on Mpox, detailed outbreak investigations, and further contact tracing,” said Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service.
Authorities are urging the public to report any suspected symptoms to health facilities, reassuring citizens that the country is equipped to manage the outbreak. “The public is assured that the health system has the capacity to manage the Mpox outbreak,” the health service said.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security in August, and the World Health Organization has labeled it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Mpox, a viral disease related to smallpox, can spread to humans through contact with infected animals or close contact with an infected person. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a blistering rash.
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