Ghana confirms first case of mpox
Accra, Ghana (PANA) - The Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Thursday confirmed the first case of mpox in the west of the country.
The case involves a 15-year-old male in the Bia West District of the Western North Region, near Cote d'Ivoire, who sought treatment at a district government hospital on 25 September with a three-day history of fever, general body pains, a sore throat, and a rash, which initially appeared on his palms and face.
The Ghana Heath Service in a statement said that 230 other suspected cases have been reported across 88 districts in the West African country.
It said 25 individuals who came into contact with the patient have been identified and are being monitored closely.
“The GHS is conducting an initial public health investigation into the confirmed case and has indicated that it will notify the World Health Organisation (WHO) as part of its ongoing response efforts.”
GHS advised to remain vigilant and follow health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus, Citi Newsroom, a local media house reported on its website.
Mpox 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.
Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). It is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family, which includes variola, cowpox, vaccinia and other viruses.
There are two distinct clades of the virus: clade I (with subclades Ia and Ib) and clade II (with subclades IIa and IIb).
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.
-0- PANA MA 3Oct2024
