Ghana Reports First Case of Mpox This Year, Variant Under Investigation
ACCRA (Reuters) – Ghana’s health service has announced the country’s first case of mpox this year, although the specific variant has not yet been identified. According to a health official, testing is underway to determine whether it is the clade Ib variant, which has raised global concerns due to its rapid spread and limited understanding.
Ghana had previously recorded mpox cases in 2022 and 2023. The latest patient is described as a young male experiencing fever, rash, and body aches. Health authorities have identified 25 contacts of the patient, all of whom are being monitored.
The World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years this past August, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that affected neighboring countries.
Currently, two strains of mpox are circulating: the clade I variant, which is endemic in parts of West and Central Africa, and the newer clade Ib variant, known for its ease of transmission through close contact, including sexual encounters.
