Ghana has recorded a second case of Mpox, sparking concerns about the possible spread of the viral infection. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) confirmed that the new case involves the mother of a 15-year-old boy who was diagnosed with the disease in September.
Dr. Dennis Laryea, the Deputy Director of Disease Surveillance at GHS, reassured the public that health officials are doing everything necessary to manage the situation.
Mpox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, which was first discovered in laboratory monkeys in 1958. The initial human cases emerged in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that the virus is mainly located in Central and West African nations and can spread from animals, especially rodents, to humans, as well as between people.
Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash similar to chickenpox. Although mpox is typically less severe than smallpox, it has raised global health alarms due to a rise in human infections and outbreaks, particularly in areas outside its usual endemic regions.
The GHS has made public education efforts, advising people to follow hygiene protocols and promptly report any suspicious symptoms. The health authorities have allocated extra resources to monitor contacts of those affected, and healthcare facilities nationwide are being prepared to handle any future cases.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mary Asantewaa Buabeng
