By Ruth Serwaa Asare
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed 37 new mpox cases as of August 14, bringing the country’s total number of recorded infections to 409. The Ministry of Health says that while public education and sensitisation have been ongoing, most of the new infections are being traced to sexual transmission.
Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Health, Mr Tony Goodman, speaking on GBC’s Uniq Breakfast Drive on Monday, August 18, explained that community behaviour continues to drive the spread of the disease. “When this thing started, we advised people to be careful with their partners. But it is becoming clear that most of the cases are coming from sexual transmission,” he said in the interview.
According to Mr Goodman, hotspots include communities with high levels of commercial sex activity. “Most of the areas where these cases are being reported are places where active sexual work takes place. If someone engages with an infected person, the risk of spreading it to others is very high,” he added.
In response, the government is preparing to introduce vaccines as an additional measure to slow the spread. “We thought the public education and community sensitisation we had rolled out would help reduce the numbers. But since behaviour and attitudes are still a challenge, we have decided to add vaccines. As we speak, the vaccines are on their way into the country,” Mr Goodman disclosed.
Beyond vaccination, the Health Ministry is urging Ghanaians to adopt strict hygiene practices such as regular handwashing, use of sanitiser, and prompt reporting of symptoms like headaches, fever, body pains, cough or sore throat. “We are no more in the era of self-medication. If you show any symptoms, quickly report to a health facility. This is how we can save lives and contain the disease,” the PRO stressed.
So far, Ghana has recorded one death from mpox, though health authorities say many patients in critical condition have recovered with treatment.
Comparing the outbreak to COVID-19, Mr Goodman noted that mpox is less fatal unless patients have serious underlying health conditions. “Before mpox can kill you, you may already have some serious underlying illness. Fortunately, once the cases are identified, they are quarantined and given the necessary care, unlike COVID, where the situation was much more severe,” he said.
Health officials say continued adherence to personal hygiene, safe sexual practices, and vaccination will be key to reducing the spread of the disease.
