The newly confirmed case marks Ghana's first Mpox case in 2024. In 2022, the country recorded 120 cases, followed by 8 cases in 2023. The National Public Health and Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) confirmed the case in the Western North Region after conducting laboratory tests. The patient is a 15-year-old male who visited a district government hospital on September 15, 2024, with a three-day history of fever, body aches, sore throat, and a rash that began on his palms and face before spreading to his trunk and limbs.
There is no record of travel in the past 21 days or any sexual contact with a potentially infectious individual. The patient was initially admitted to the hospital but has since been discharged and is currently stable at home. The Western North Regional Health Directorate and the Bia West District have declared a public health emergency.
A total of 25 contacts of the case have been identified and are currently under observation, consisting of 15 contacts from healthcare facilities and 10 from the community. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) issued a press statement confirming the case and stated that public health measures have been implemented, including issuing an alert to all regions and teaching hospitals following the announcements made by the Africa CDC and the WHO in August 2023.
The statement noted that there has been increased surveillance for Mpox, training for healthcare staff on the disease, mobilization of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for personnel, strict infection prevention and control measures, contact management and tracing, as well as the activation of the National Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC).
Further public health actions planned include activating Public Health Emergency Management Committees at the national, regional, and district levels, ongoing training for staff on Mpox prevention, case management, standard precautions, and barrier nursing. Additionally, detailed outbreak investigations, expanded contact tracing, enhanced general surveillance—including monitoring at Points of Entry—and public education efforts will be implemented.
Below is statement issued by the Ghana Health Service on the Mpox case
On October 1, 2024, the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) of the Ghana Health Service confirmed an Mpox case after testing samples from a patient in the Western North Region.
The patient, a young boy, exhibited symptoms including rash, fever, and body aches. Alert medical personnel collected the necessary samples and sent them to the NPHRL for laboratory analysis.
The 'suspected Mpox case' was isolated according to established protocols for managing the disease. Twenty-five contacts linked to the case have been identified and are currently under observation. The patient has since been discharged and is in stable condition.
A month ago, the Africa Centers for Disease Control (CDC) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), and the WHO also classified it as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
In 2024, several African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, South Africa, and Côte d'Ivoire, have reported Mpox cases. The current confirmed case is Ghana's first for 2024. In previous years, Ghana recorded 120 cases in 2022 and 8 cases in 2023.
The following public health measures have been implemented:
1. An alert was issued to all regions and teaching hospitals following the Africa CDC and WHO declarations in August 2024.
2. Surveillance for Mpox has been intensified.
3. Health staff have been sensitized on Mpox.
4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been mobilized for healthcare workers.
5. Strict infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, including barrier nursing, are in place.
6. Contact tracing and management are being conducted.
7. The National Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC) has been activated.
8. Additional public health actions are planned.
9. Public Health Emergency Management Committees have been activated at all levels (national, regional, and district).
10. Ongoing sensitization of staff on Mpox, including prevention, case management, standard precautionary measures, and barrier nursing.
11. Detailed investigations into the outbreak are being conducted.
12. Additional contact tracing efforts are underway.
13. Surveillance has been strengthened, including screening at points of entry.
14. Public education initiatives are being carried out.
The public is reassured that the health system is well-equipped to handle the Mpox outbreak. Individuals are encouraged to promptly visit the nearest health facility if they suspect any Mpox symptoms, so that proper investigations and treatment can be carried out.
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