Ghana Health Service has confirmed two additional cases of Mpox, raising the country’s total to four amid a renewed outbreak of the virus this month.

The latest cases, recorded in the Greater Accra and Western Regions, were disclosed Sunday in a statement by Ghana Health Service (GHS) Director-General Samuel Kaba Akoriyea. The announcement follows the initial confirmation of a case on May 15 in Accra.

The new infections appear to have no epidemiological link to earlier reported cases, health officials said. Regional health directorates have activated response protocols, including contact tracing and community awareness campaigns, to contain the spread.

“Mpox is a viral disease transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated materials,” the GHS statement noted. Common symptoms include rash, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

Ghana first reported Mpox infections in June 2022, eventually confirming 34 cases by the end of 2023. Prior to that, the virus had not been considered endemic in the country.

In response to the latest outbreak, the GHS has issued a circular calling for heightened surveillance, early detection, and rapid containment efforts.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, shares similarities with smallpox but is typically less severe. It spreads through direct skin contact, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces, including during sexual activity.

Across Africa, the virus continues to pose a significant public health challenge. As of March 2025, more than 24,200 cases and approximately 260 deaths have been reported in 22 African countries, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo bearing the highest burden.

Source:TheDotNews