The Ministry of Health has announced the activation of an emergency response plan and heightened surveillance measures to combat the Mpox disease.
This response includes enhanced monitoring at Points of Entry, such as airports and border crossings, and increased vigilance within communities nationwide.
These efforts come in response to the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring Mpox a global health emergency after confirming 2,030 cases and 13 deaths this year, compared to 1,145 cases and seven deaths in 2023.
In a statement, the Ministry highlighted that Ghana recorded 120 cases of Mpox in 2022 and eight cases in 2023, with no reported cases so far in 2024.
Despite the absence of new cases this year, the Ministry emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant to prevent a resurgence.
“Early detection, timely reporting, and prompt treatment are crucial to containing the disease and preventing further spread. We urge all citizens to cooperate with health authorities and adhere to the guidelines provided to safeguard public health,” the statement read.
The global situation has seen new cases reported in four countries previously unaffected by Mpox – Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda – since mid-July 2024.
