The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has revealed that Ghana has recorded 1,038 cases of Mpox as of March 3, 2026, with eight deaths confirmed since the outbreak began.
Addressing Parliament, the Minister said the disease has spread to 124 districts across all regions of the country, with the Greater Accra Region and Western Region reporting the highest number of cases since the outbreak started in May 2025.
He noted that the situation is currently under control, adding that only one patient remains on admission and there are no critical cases at the moment.
According to him, the Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service and with support from partners, has activated a coordinated multi-sectoral response to halt the spread of the disease and safeguard public health.
The response strategy includes enhanced coordination and emergency operations, intensified surveillance, and contact tracing with a 21-day follow-up period. Laboratory testing has also been strengthened at key facilities including the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research.
The Minister further indicated that case management has been improved while infection prevention and control measures have been reinforced to curb the spread of the virus.
On vaccination efforts, the Health Minister disclosed that 31,231 people have so far received Mpox vaccines across 12 districts in the Ashanti, Greater Accra and Western Regions. He said the campaign has achieved coverage exceeding 95 percent of the target population.
The Minister also announced that the government is covering the cost of treatment for individuals infected with the disease.
“Government has further ensured that medical bills relating to the patients’ care during this outbreak are covered by the state so that no cost is passed on to the affected persons,” he stated.
Mr Akandoh emphasised that the intensified measures implemented by the government are producing encouraging outcomes.
“Mr. Speaker, these interventions are yielding results. Although, sporadic cases have been recorded over the past two months, the overall trend shows a significant decline following the introduction of vaccination. Average weekly cases have reduced from 28 cases per week to 7 cases per week.
“MPOX is also no longer classified as public health emergency of international concern,” he said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining the ongoing response while strengthening Ghana’s health security system to prevent future outbreaks.
