Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed a case of Mpox in the Western North Region.
According to the Service, the case was confirmed after laboratory test of samples from a patient proved positive on October 1, 2024.
“On October 1, 2024, the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) of the Ghana Health Service confirmed a case of Mpox following the testing of samples from a patient from the Western North Region,” a statement released by the GHS said.
The statement said the patient, a young male child, presented with a history of rash, fever and general bodily pains.
“The alert medical staff took the appropriate samples and dispatched them to the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) for laboratory investigations.
“The ‘suspected case of Mpox’ was isolated in line with protocols for managing Mpox,” it said, adding, “Twenty-five (25) contacts of the case have been identified and are currently being monitored. The patient has since been discharged and is in stable condition.”
A month ago, the Africa Centres for Disease Control (CDC) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), with the World Health Organisation (WHO) also declaring it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Several countries in Africa, notably Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire have recorded cases of Mpox in 2024.
The current confirmed case is the first for Ghana in 2024 as the country has previously recorded 120 cases in 2022 and eight cases in 2023.
Public Health Measures
Meanwhile, the GHS has outlined public health measures including the issuance of an alert to all regions and teaching hospitals following the declarations by the Africa CDC and the WHO in August 2024.
It has also heightened surveillance for Mpox, held sensitisation of health staff on Mpox, mobilised Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for staff, undertaken strict Infection Prevention Control (IPC) with barrier nursing, contact management and tracing, and the activation of the National Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC).
A Daily Guide Report