The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has ramped up its surveillance following the outbreak of Mpox in 15 African countries.
This proactive measure is aimed at minimizing Ghana’s exposure to the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a total of 2,030 cases and 13 deaths so far in 2024, compared to 1,145 cases and seven deaths in 2023. Notably, four countries—Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda—have reported their first cases since mid-July 2024.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family as the virus that causes smallpox.
Although similar to smallpox, Mpox is generally less severe.
The disease was first identified in monkeys in the late 1950s, with the first human case reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1970. Mpox primarily affects countries in West and Central Africa but has gained international attention due to recent outbreaks in non-endemic regions.
Though Mpox is a rare disease, it can be deadly, making increased vigilance essential.
