Ashanti Regional health directorate reports 10 suspected Mpox cases

The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service has urged the media to amplify public education efforts following the ongoing Mpox outbreak in Ghana.

This call comes after 19 confirmed Mpox cases have been reported nationwide.

Speaking at a press briefing in Kumasi on Wednesday, Dr Fred Adomako Boateng, Ashanti Regional Health Director, revealed that while the region is yet to confirm any positive Mpox cases, ten suspected cases are currently under investigation.

“So far, we have not recorded any positive Mpox case in the Ashanti Region, but we’ve had 10 suspected cases. Nationwide, Ghana has confirmed 19 cases without any deaths,” Dr Adomako Boateng stated.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic viral disease closely related to smallpox. It primarily spreads through close contact with infected humans or animals, especially rodents and primates, and through the consumption of undercooked infected meat.

“Initially, Mpox was an animal disease, but humans can now contract it through contact with infected rodents, monkeys, and squirrels, or by eating poorly cooked meat from these animals,” he explained.

The illness manifests with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and a characteristic rash that may take weeks to heal.

The incubation period ranges from 3 to 21 days, meaning individuals may carry the virus without symptoms for several days.

Since May 2022, Mpox cases have surged in countries with no prior history of the disease, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in July 2022.

Dr Adomako Boateng urged the public, especially those at higher risk, to take preventive measures seriously. “If you’re at higher risk of exposure, it’s important to get vaccinated either before or as soon as possible after exposure,” he advised.

To bolster regional preparedness, surveillance for Mpox has been intensified across all 43 districts in Ashanti, alongside sensitization programs for health workers on early detection and case management.

According to him, the Health Directorate will also launch intensified health education campaigns via various media platforms to enhance public awareness about Mpox and its prevention.

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