JUST IN: Two New Mpox Cases Confirmed in Accra

Health authorities have confirmed two new Mpox cases in the Accra Metropolitan Area of the Greater Accra Region. These are the first confirmed infections reported in Ghana this year.

In response, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has instructed all regional health directors to reactivate their Public Health Emergency Operations Centres. They have also been directed to intensify surveillance, risk communication, and case management efforts nationwide.

The two cases are unrelated and were both detected at a healthcare facility. Contact tracing is underway, and the patients are currently under close monitoring to prevent further transmission.

Ghana’s Mpox outbreak began on June 8, 2022, with five initial cases. By November 2023, 34 confirmed cases had been recorded. Before this outbreak, Mpox was not considered endemic in Ghana.

In a circular signed by the Director-General, the GHS called for a renewed and coordinated national response, emphasizing the need for enhanced detection and containment strategies.

Mpox is a viral disease similar to smallpox, characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. It spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s skin, bodily fluids, or during sexual contact. Symptoms include fever, rash or lesions, fatigue, headaches, muscle and back pain, and swollen glands.

Across Africa, Mpox remains a serious public health issue. As of March 2025, over 24,200 cases and approximately 260 deaths have been reported in 22 countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been the most affected, accounting for the majority of cases and fatalities.