Ghana’s health service has confirmed the country’s first mpox case of the year, although the specific variant has not yet been disclosed, according to an official statement. Testing is underway to determine if the case involves the clade Ib form of the virus, which has raised global concern due to its rapid spread and limited understanding.
Ghana previously reported mpox cases in both 2022 and 2023. The current patient, described as a young male, presented with fever, rash, and body pains. Health authorities have identified 25 contacts, all of whom are being monitored.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in August, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that spread to neighboring countries. Two strains of mpox are circulating: the clade I variant, endemic to West and Central Africa, and the clade Ib strain, which is more easily transmitted through close contact, including sexual contact.
