“No Case Of Monkeypox Disease In Ghana Yet” – Ministry of Health

No Case of Monkeypox Disease In Ghana Yet, Ministry of Health Assures The Public After The World Health Organization (WHO) Declared The Disease As A Global Emergency.

On Wednesday, August 14th, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the monkeypox disease as a global emergency. This update was officially shared by the director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Monkeypox Disease: What Is It?

The Monkeypox disease, formerly called the mpox is identical to smallpox which is caused by a virus. The virus is mostly found in Africa and can be seen in other parts of the western world as well. The virus causes a flu-like symptoms and rashes on the body. The monkeypox virus is a member of the genus Orthopoxvirus. It can be transmitted through person-to-person contact and from infected animals.

There are two forms of the monkeypox virus; Clade I and II. Clade I which originated from Central Africa thus, Angola, Cameroon, Chad, DR Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of the Congo, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Clade II which originated from West Africa thus, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

The monkeypox disease can affect anyone but in Africa, it mostly affects children under the age of 15 years. Also, the disease is common among men who sleep with their fellow men (MSM).

With the sudden surge in the disease in places like Sweden, Scotland, and DR Congo, the Ministry of Health has released an official statement addressing the fears of the public regarding the monkeypox disease.

In a statement, signed by the PRO for the ministry, stated that the Ministry of Health has activated its plans to carefully address the potential threat of the disease within the country.

“Consequently, the Ministry of Health has issued a directive to all implementing agencies and stakeholders to heighten surveillance systems at all levels. This directive includes enhanced monitoring at Points of Entry (such as airports and border crossings) and increased vigilance within communities nationwide”, part of the statement read.

Also, the ministry assured the public that, there is no case of the monkeypox disease in Ghana yet although in 2022, Ghana recorded 120 cases of the monkeypox disease, and 8 cases in 2023.

“While Ghana recorded 120 cases of Mpox in 2022 and 8 cases in 2023 respectively, there has been no reported cases in 2024. However, the ministry remains vigilant and urges the public to take proactive measures to prevent a resurgence of the disease”, the statement read.

Read The Full Statement Below; 

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