The World Health Organization (WHO) Ghana has provided laboratory PCR reagents to enhance the country’s diagnostic capacity.

The supplies are capable of testing 3,400 suspected mpox samples, and additional kits provided will allow clade determination for 625 confirmed positive cases.

The donation was officially handed over to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory on Tuesday, June 24.

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 that this is really brought under control,” she stated.

WHO Country Representative Dr. Fiona Braka emphasized that the organization hopes the reagents will enable rapid diagnosis and prompt public health responses.

Ghana continues to experience a surge in its monkeypox cases recorded, with current data as of June 20 revealing 117 total confirmed cases.

Ten new cases were recorded during this period, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

As of June 18, nine new cases were confirmed, pushing the confirmed cases to 107.

Over the period, the GHS has observed an increasing rate in contraction of the disease. The total number of confirmed cases as of June 16 was 98. As of June 12, the number of confirmed cases rose to 91 from 79 reported as of June 6, with no reports of fatalities.

The Western Region is experiencing a sharp rise in infections, according to the Regional Health Director.

Addressing attendees at a Regional Development Retreat at Western Region, Essipong on Saturday, June 21, Kwadwo Okyere Apenteng said: "the Western Region is number one; we have taken over. 71% of the cases in the country are coming from the Western Region."

"As it stands, we have 187 suspected cases and 43 confirmed cases," Mr Apenteng stated.

The government is engaging international organizations for assistance in procuring vaccines to be able to curb the surging number of cases being reported.

Ghana recorded the first Mpox case in June 2022, with five cases, and by November 2023, health authorities had confirmed a total of 34 cases. Despite the increase in cases, Ghana has not recorded any Mpox-related deaths.

Mpox is a viral illness similar to smallpox. It typically causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. The virus spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s skin or bodily fluids, including through sexual contact.

To reduce your risk, avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals, maintain proper hand hygiene, and refrain from sharing personal items.

Symptoms may include fever, rash or lesions, tiredness, headaches, muscle and back pain, and swollen glands.

The Government of Ghana has assured its commitment to safeguarding public health by implementing appropriate measures to protect the health and well-being of all residents.