Ghana’s MPOX cases rise to 583 with two deaths

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has recorded 10 new Mpox infections, bringing the total case count to 565 as of September 20

The Service, in an update, said presently, there were two persons on admission and two deaths recorded.

It said as of September 20, cases had been recorded in all 16 regions and about 100 districts across the country.

It said the Ghana Health Service remained vigilant across all 16 regions and actively monitoring infections through its surveillance system.

The GHS said the respective regional health directorates had activated public health measures, including contact tracing to prevent further spread.

It is currently working closely with the Health Ministry to ensure that the necessary public health measures are implemented to contain and prevent further spread of the viral disease.

Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director General of GHS, assured the public that there was no cause for widespread alarm as Ghana’s public health system remained vigilant, with existing protocols for detecting, managing, and controlling infectious diseases were being rigorously followed.

The GHS urged the public to maintain good hygiene, avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals, avoid touching rashes or body fluids, use protective gears when carrying a sick person and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility.

It said the Government of Ghana is fully committed to protecting the health and well-being of all citizens saying, “We have the capacity and expertise to manage this situation and prevent a larger outbreak.”

Mpox, is a viral disease transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person, animal or a contaminated material.

It presents with symptoms such as rash, fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

The GHS advised the public to wash hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer, especially before or after touching sores.

The public is encouraged to wear a mask and cover lesions when around other people until the rash heals and keep skin dry and uncovered.

It entreated the public to avoid touching items in shared spaces and disinfect shared spaces frequently and use saltwater rinses for sores in the mouth.

In August last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared MPOX a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), its highest level of alert, due to a new variant of the mpox viral disease in Africa.

Presently Mpox cases have been found more than 13 African countries and its new form is spreading; it is the second time in two years the WHO has issued the alert for the disease.

As of last years, more than 17,000 suspected Mpox cases and 517 deaths were reported on the African continent, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) last year approved the use of an Mpox vaccine for the first time, which it said should facilitate “timely and increased access” for millions at risk in Africa where the latest outbreak has infected more than 20,000.

Source: GNA