The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed a case of monkeypox in the Bia West District of the Western North Region.
The patient, a 15-year-old boy, sought medical attention at a district hospital on 25 September 2024, presenting with fever, body aches, sore throat, and a rash that initially appeared on his palms and face. These symptoms had persisted for three days.
In an official statement, the GHS disclosed that "230 suspected cases of monkeypox have been identified across 88 districts nationwide." The service also confirmed that 25 individuals who had direct contact with the patient have been identified and are under active monitoring to prevent further spread of the virus.
The GHS has commenced a preliminary public health investigation into the confirmed monkeypox case and will inform the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of its coordinated response. The public is urged to stay vigilant and adhere to recommended health protocols to curb the transmission of the virus.
About Monkeypox
Mpox is an infectious disease that can lead to a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, and fatigue. While most people recover fully, some may become severely ill.
The disease is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), an enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus from the Orthopoxvirus genus, part of the Poxviridae family. This family also includes viruses like variola, cowpox, and vaccinia.
The virus exists in two distinct clades: clade I, which is further divided into subclades Ia and Ib, and clade II, which includes subclades IIa and IIb.
A global outbreak of clade IIb began in 2022 and continues to affect regions worldwide, including several African countries.