The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed a case of monkeypox in the Bia West District of the Western North Region.
The patient is a 15-year-old male who visited a district government hospital on September 25, 2024, with a three-day history of fever, body aches, sore throat, and a rash that started on his palms and face.
In a statement the GHS reported that 230 suspected cases have been identified across 88 districts in Ghana. Twenty-five individuals who had contact with the confirmed patient are currently under close monitoring.
An initial public health investigation is underway, and the GHS will inform the World Health Organisation (WHO) as part of its response efforts. The public is urged to remain cautious and adhere to health guidelines to limit the spread of the virus.
Monkeypox, also known as Mpox, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, and fatigue. While most patients recover, severe illness can occur in some cases.
Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a double-stranded DNA virus from the Orthopoxvirus genus, which also includes variola (smallpox), cowpox, and vaccinia viruses. There are two main strains of the virus: clade I (subclades Ia and Ib) and clade II (subclades IIa and IIb).
A global outbreak of clade IIb has been ongoing since 2022, affecting several regions, including Africa. Clades Ia and Ib, particularly prevalent in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are also spreading, with clade Ib now detected outside of Africa as of August 2024.