Josiah
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed a case of monkeypox (Mpox) in the Bia West District of the Western North Region. The case involves a 15-year-old male who sought treatment at a district government hospital on September 25, 2024, after experiencing three days of fever, body aches, sore throat, and a rash that first appeared on his palms and face.
In a public statement, the GHS reported that 230 other suspected cases have been recorded across 88 districts in the country. Additionally, 25 individuals who came into contact with the infected patient have been identified and are being closely monitored. The GHS is conducting a public health investigation and has informed the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of its ongoing response.
The public has been urged to stay vigilant and adhere to health guidelines to help prevent the spread of the virus. Monkeypox, now referred to as Mpox, is an infectious disease that causes symptoms such as a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, and fatigue. While most people recover fully, severe cases can occur.
Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family, which also includes viruses like variola (smallpox), cowpox, and vaccinia. There are two distinct clades of the virus: clade I (subclades Ia and Ib) and clade II (subclades IIa and IIb). A global outbreak of clade IIb began in 2022, continuing into 2024, affecting multiple countries, including some in Africa.
Clades Ia and Ib, which primarily affect the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African nations, have also seen growing outbreaks, with clade Ib being detected beyond Africa as of August 2024.
Source: Omanghana.com
