Accra: The Western Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has activated its surveillance system and risk communication activities to contain the outbreak of Monkey pox (Mpox) in the region. The move is to monitor and stem the spread of the disease after the GHS confirmed the first case of Mpox in the region on May 17, 2025.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Daniel Bomfeh, Western Regional Health Promotion Manager, stated that the Directorate had put in place enhanced sensitisation mechanisms to educate the people on the signs, symptoms, and preventive protocols to control the disease. Health officials have also initiated contact tracing to identify persons who had been exposed to infected individuals to help avoid further spread.
He mentioned that the primary mode of infection was from animals to humans and advised the public against contacting dead wild animals, rodents, and others to avoid contracting the disease. Mr Bomfeh also recommended that people regularly wash their hands, remain vigilant, and seek immediate medical attention when experiencing symptoms like fever, sore throat, joint pains, and rashes.
'Those who care for infected persons must use personal protective equipment (PPE) and avoid using personal items of infected individuals to protect themselves from contracting the disease,' he added. He further encouraged health workers to use their PPEs when dealing with infected persons and to practice Infection Prevention and Control measures in their various facilities to minimise the risk of being infected.
