Ghana Health Service (GHS) tackle tackles Mpox outbreak prevention

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has launched contact tracing efforts to recognize individuals who could have been associated with  the two confirmed cases of Monkeypox (Mpox) earlier reported in the Accra Metropolitan Area.

It said those contacts would be tracked for symptoms and receive proper guidance and treatment. These formed part of the essential public health interventions the Ghana Health Service (GHS) was quickly and effectively putting into actions contain the spread of the virus after two such cases were confirmed in the country last Thursday. This information was shared in a press statement issued by Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the acting Director-General of the (Ghana Health Service) GHS, on May 15,disclosing the confirmation of two cases of Mpox in Accra.

Mpox is a contagious disease that affects humans through close contact with an infected person or animal or with objects or surfaces that can carry and transmit diseases. Common symptoms are headache, muscle aches, back pain, rash, fever, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. Ghana confirmed its first case of Mpox in June 2022 with five cases. From the start of 2022, Ghana recorded 116 confirmed cases of Mpox with four confirmed deaths. As the year drew to a close, Ghana announced nine additional confirmed cases with no new deaths.

The release said the service was strengthening monitoring in health facilities and communities to make sure that any additional suspected cases were detected and investigated promptly.

It stated that “The Ministry of Health and the service are also intensifying public awareness campaigns to educate the populace about Mpox, including its symptoms, modes of transmission, and preventive measures.” It added that “The government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, is committed to protecting the health and well-being of all citizens and residents.”

It gave the public assurance that the situation is under control, pointing out that it was equipped with the necessary capacity and expertise to manage the ongoing situation and prevent a wider outbreak. It emphasized that Ghana’s public health system maintained a high level of alertness and adhered to protocols for detecting, management and management of infectious diseases  were being rigorously followed.

The Ghana Health Services (GHS), encouraged the public to practise good hand hygiene, keep safe distance from people showing symptoms  such as rash, and report any potential cases to the local health facility without delay.

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