Ghana Reports New Mpox Case in Greater Accra Region, Total Cases Reach Three
The Ghana Health Service has reported a new case of Mpox in the Greater Accra Region, raising the total cases to three. Initial cases emerged in August 2024, with ongoing investigations revealing no further cases among contacts. The GHS continues its commitment to managing the outbreak through monitoring and public health measures as symptoms include rashes, fever, and lymph node swelling.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed an additional case of Mpox in the Greater Accra Region, bringing the total recent cases in the nation to three. Dr. Dennis Laryea, the GHS Deputy Director of Public Health overseeing Disease Surveillance, stated that the new case was recorded last week. Despite this increase, he noted that no further cases have been identified among the contacts, and investigations are ongoing to monitor symptom development. The GHS emphasized that measures are in place to track and mitigate the virus’s spread, and those in contact with the confirmed case are currently under observation. The initial Mpox case in Ghana was identified in August 2024 in the Western Region, after which a second case arose when the patient’s mother tested positive. As of October 31, 2024, the total number of cases stands at two before the recent addition. The GHS remains committed to its public health efforts despite the rising numbers, assuring the population of their vigilance in addressing the outbreak. According to the World Health Organization, Mpox, previously referred to as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. There are two notable clades of this virus: clade I and clade II. The latter caused a global outbreak between 2022 and 2023 due to the clade IIb strain. Symptoms of Mpox may include rashes or mucosal lesions that last between 2 to 4 weeks alongside accompanying symptoms such as fever, muscle pains, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, which is classified within the Orthopoxvirus genus. Notably, there are two primary clades of the virus, and in recent global outbreaks, particularly from 2022 to 2023, the clade IIb strain gained prominence. The Ghana Health Service’s surveillance and the increasing case numbers reflect a concerning public health issue that requires ongoing monitoring and response strategies to control further transmission of the virus. Common symptoms of Mpox include skin lesions, fever, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes, necessitating vigilant tracking of contacts of confirmed cases to mitigate risk to the public.
In conclusion, the Ghana Health Service has confirmed a third case of Mpox in the Greater Accra Region, with no new cases reported among the contacts as of now. The authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have reinforced their commitment to controlling the spread of this viral illness. With the recent history of outbreaks, public health efforts are crucial to ensure community safety and limit the impact of the disease. The emphasis on disease surveillance and contact monitoring will be vital in responding to any further developments regarding Mpox in Ghana.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
