By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Accra, May 26, GNA – The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed nine cases of Mpox in the country out of 100 suspected cases reported since the outbreak this year, with the first case successfully treated.
On May 15, Ghana recorded an Mpox outbreak in the Accra Metropolitan Area of the Greater Accra Region, where four cases were confirmed. Meanwhile four cases had also been detected in the Western Region.
The GHS says preliminary assessments of the cases confirmed by the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory showed that the newly confirmed cases had no epidemiological link to the first two cases reported.
It said the 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, earlier this month, assured the public that there is no cause for widespread alarm as Ghana’s public health system remained vigilant, with existing protocols for detecting, managing, and controlling infectious diseases being rigorously followed.
The GHS urged the public to maintain good hygiene, avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals, and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility.
It said the Government was fully committed to protecting the health and well-being of all citizens, adding: “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 symptoms such as rash, fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
The GHS advised the public to preferably wash hands often with soap under running water, especially before or after touching sores, or use hand sanitizer.
Members of the public must also wear masks and cover lesions when around other people until the rash heals. The skin should be kept dry.
It entreated the public to avoid touching items in shared spaces, while those spaces must be disinfected frequently. In case of sore mouth, saltwater rinses could be applied.
In August, last year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared MPox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), the highest level of alert due to a new variant of the Mpox viral disease in Africa.
Cases have been found in more than 13 African countries, with the new form spreading. It is the second time in two years the WHO has issued the alert for the disease.
As at last year, more than 17,000 suspected Mpox cases and 517 deaths had been recorded on the continent, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has said.
The WHO, last year, approved the use of an Mpox vaccine for the first time, which, it says, should facilitate “timely and increased access” for millions at risk in Africa where the latest outbreak has infected more than 20,000 people.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe