Ghana Confirms Two New Mpox Cases, Health Officials Launch Containment Efforts
Ghana’s health authorities have reported two new confirmed cases of Mpox, bringing the country’s total to four. The latest infections were detected in the Greater Accra and Western Regions, with lab confirmation coming from the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory on Sunday, May 12.
Health officials revealed that the newly confirmed cases have no known link to the previous ones, raising concerns about possible undetected community transmission. In response, emergency containment protocols have been activated in the affected regions. These include aggressive contact tracing, enhanced surveillance, and stricter adherence to public health safety guidelines.
“We are actively tracing all possible transmission pathways and taking swift action to prevent further spread,” read a joint statement from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ministry of Health.
Mpox is a viral illness that can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected individual, bodily fluids, or contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding. It is considered a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans, though human-to-human transmission is more commonly observed during outbreaks.
Typical symptoms include:
A sudden onset of fever and persistent headache
Muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes
Skin eruptions, including rashes and painful lesions
Extreme fatigue
Health experts are urging the public to take basic but effective precautions to reduce risk. These include:
Washing hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizers
Avoiding close contact with anyone exhibiting unexplained skin rashes or flu-like symptoms
Seeking prompt medical attention when symptoms appear
Officials emphasized that early detection and isolation are key to controlling the outbreak. To that end, they are appealing to media outlets to assist in educating the public with accurate, science-based information.
“Ghana has a robust track record in managing public health emergencies. We are leveraging this experience to respond quickly and effectively,” said the GHS and Ministry of Health.
The government reassured the public that all necessary measures are being implemented to contain the spread and safeguard communities. Surveillance teams are working in coordination with local health facilities, while public education campaigns are being scaled up to inform citizens about prevention and early warning signs.
Though the situation remains under control for now, health authorities say heightened vigilance is critical in the coming weeks. Citizens are encouraged to report any unusual health symptoms and follow official updates as they become available.
As Ghana moves to contain the current wave, officials maintain that cooperation between the public, health workers, and media will be essential to stopping the virus from spreading further.
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