The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is urging the public to avoid intimate activities, including kissing and sexual contact, with individuals infected with monkeypox to help curb the spread of the virus.

This advisory is part of efforts to prevent transmission, as the disease is known to spread through close physical interaction.

This comes after a confirmed monkeypox case was reported in the Bia West District in the Western North Region. GHS has also identified 230 suspected cases of monkeypox across 88 districts in Ghana.

The public is encouraged to stay alert and follow safety guidelines to reduce the risk of infection. Anyone displaying symptoms of monkeypox is advised to seek immediate medical care to prevent further spread.

Speaking to OTEC News’ Kwame Agyenim Boateng on Friday, 4 October 2024, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at GHS, emphasized the need to avoid contact with contaminated clothing from infected individuals as part of preventive measures.

“Symptoms of mpox include rashes and boils on the body, and the risk of contracting the disease increases with direct physical contact,” Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe explained.

“It is, therefore, advisable to avoid kissing and sexual activity, both of which involve close body contact, with individuals suspected of having the disease,” he added.

Mpox is a contagious disease characterized by symptoms such as a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, and fatigue. While many individuals recover completely, severe cases can occur in some. The disease is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV).