Mpox: Ghana Health Service confirms new case, suspected cases rise to 230

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced that it has confirmed a new case of monkeypox in the Bia West District of the Western North Region.

Additionally, 230 suspected cases of the disease have been recorded across 88 districts in the country.

According to a report by citinewsroom.com, the confirmed case involves a 15-year-old male who sought treatment at a district government hospital on September 25, 2024, presenting with a three-day history of fever, general body pains, a sore throat, and a rash, which initially appeared on his palms and face.

It added that twenty-five individuals who came into contact with the patient have been identified and are being monitored closely.

The GHS has commenced an initial public health investigation into the confirmed case, indicating that it will notify the World Health Organisation (WHO) as part of its ongoing response efforts, urging the public to remain vigilant and follow health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus, the report added.

According to the WHO, monkeypox is an infectious disease that can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle ache, back pain, and low energy.

Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.

A global outbreak of clade IIb began in 2022 and continues to this day, including in some African countries.

There are also growing outbreaks of clades Ia and Ib affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries in Africa.

As of August 2024, clade Ib has also been detected beyond Africa, the WHO said.

JKB/AE

Meanwhile, catch up on the latest episode of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV with Etsey Atisu and his guest, Chief Alhassan Andani, below: