Twenty-six more people have been infected with the monkeypox (Mpox) virus, according to the latest update released by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

The new cases bring the total number of infections to 713 as of October 10, 2025. No additional deaths have been reported since the last one, keeping the death toll at three. The most recent Mpox-related death occurred on September 18 in the Eastern Region, and the GHS noted that the patient had underlying health conditions.

Currently, three patients are on admission and receiving treatment.

The GHS reminded the public that Mpox spreads mainly through close contact with an infected person. Common symptoms include fever, rash, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and fatigue.

Health authorities urged individuals who experience these symptoms to immediately visit the nearest health facility for examination and treatment.

The Service also advised Ghanaians to maintain good personal hygiene and observe preventive measures to help reduce the spread of infection.

As of Thursday, September 18, the Ghana Health Service had reported ten (10) new Mpox cases, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 565.

However, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, September 24, the Service announced another 18 new cases, bringing the total to 583.

This marked a surge from the 519 confirmed cases reported on Thursday, September 11. At that time, two patients were on admission.

Earlier, on August 28, 21 new cases had been recorded, bringing the total to 467, while on August 25, the Service reported 22 new infections, raising the cumulative figure to 446.

On August 20, 15 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 424. At that point, no patient was on admission.

As of August 14, 37 new cases had been reported, raising the total to 409.

According to earlier updates, 26 new cases were confirmed on August 11, increasing the total to 372, compared to 346 cases recorded on August 7.

The national death toll, however, remained at two.

Unfortunately, all 16 regions have now recorded Mpox cases, and the rising number of infections continues to raise concern.

However, the country can breathe a sigh of relief as 33,600 vaccines have been secured by the Ministry of Health to strengthen Ghana’s fight against the Mpox virus.

“This is another milestone in safeguarding the health and well-being of our citizens,” the Ministry said in a Facebook post.

Months ago, the Ministry of Health received a major boost in its fight against the ongoing Mpox outbreak following the donation of essential medical supplies and public health materials from the World Health Organization (WHO).

During a brief ceremony held at the Ministry, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s public health response and commended the country’s leadership in managing the outbreak.

The donation, valued at USD 36,700, included personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline health workers, 780 GeneXpert cartridges to improve diagnostic capacity, and 9,000 risk communication posters along with 40 pull-up banners to support community sensitisation efforts.

The PPE will help enhance infection prevention and control, while the GeneXpert cartridges are expected to facilitate rapid and accurate testing, especially at decentralised levels.

The risk communication materials aim to promote public awareness and behavioural change.

The Minister for Health, Honourable Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who received the items on behalf of the government, thanked the WHO for its continued support.

He indicated that Ghana is keen to adopt vaccines as part of its response strategy and called on the WHO to expedite assistance in that regard. He also encouraged the public to maintain good hygiene practices and seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, or skin rashes.

He noted that the Ministry remains committed to strengthening public health systems and working closely with partners to contain the outbreak and protect the health of all Ghanaians.

Health officials explained that Mpox spreads primarily through direct contact with an infected person. Common symptoms include fever, skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes.

The Ghana Health Service urged the public to avoid close interactions with symptomatic individuals, wash hands regularly with soap and water, refrain from touching the face frequently, and wear masks when caring for infected persons.

The Service added that it is closely monitoring the outbreak, conducting contact tracing, and intensifying public education with the support of regional health directorates.

Following the detection of 20 new infections as of Wednesday, July 30, the Ghana Health Service announced on Monday, July 27, the death of one of the infected persons.

Since Ghana recorded its first Mpox case in June 2022, with five confirmed cases, this was the first reported death associated with the disease.

In its regular updates, the GHS stated that as of July 22, 23 new cases had been recorded, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 257 at the time.

By July 18, Ghana’s confirmed Mpox cases had risen to 234 following the detection of 16 new infections, compared to 218 cases after 21 new cases were recorded on July 14.

The Ghana Health Service reported 197 confirmed cases after detecting 11 new infections as of July 11.

The Service described the trend as a gradual yet manageable increase and called for sustained public vigilance.

Although the number of cases continues to rise slightly, health officials maintain that the overall situation remains under control.

While most infections are mild, the GHS emphasised that early medical attention is crucial to avoid complications.

In response to the increase in cases, the Service has intensified information campaigns nationwide to ensure citizens remain alert and cautious. Preventive actions such as avoiding contact with infected individuals, maintaining hygiene, and seeking medical care early are being emphasised.

Officials stressed the importance of swift case detection and reporting, with field teams and community health workers actively monitoring developments.

The public is encouraged to remain vigilant, follow health guidelines, and support national efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

The government continues to engage international organisations to secure more vaccines to combat the rise in infections.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in Ghana recently provided laboratory PCR reagents to enhance diagnostic capacity. The donation was officially presented to the GHS at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory.

Receiving the supplies on behalf of the GHS, Acting Deputy Director-General Dr Caroline Reindorf Amissah expressed gratitude for WHO’s ongoing logistical and technical support.

“We promise from our end to do our bit, collaborate, go out there, and look for the cases to make sure this is really brought under control,” she said.

WHO Country Representative Dr Fiona Braka emphasised that the organisation hopes the reagents will enable rapid diagnosis and timely public health responses.

The supplies can test approximately 3,400 suspected Mpox samples, while additional kits will allow clade determination for 625 confirmed positive cases.

Background on Mpox

The monkeypox virus was first identified in Denmark in 1958 in monkeys kept for research, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, involving a nine-month-old boy.

Following the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the end of smallpox vaccination worldwide, Mpox gradually emerged in central, east, and west Africa.

Since then, Mpox has been reported sporadically in these regions, Clade I (central and east Africa) and Clade II (west Africa).

In 2003, an outbreak in the United States was linked to imported wild animals (Clade II).

Since 2005, thousands of cases have been reported annually in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In 2017, Mpox re-emerged in Nigeria and continues to spread among people across the country and in travellers to other destinations, according to the WHO.