Ghana’s health service has confirmed its first mpox case of the year, although the specific variant of the virus has not yet been identified. According to a statement, authorities are conducting tests to determine whether the case involves the clade Ib strain, which has raised global concern due to its rapid spread and limited available information.
The patient, described as a young male, is exhibiting symptoms including fever, a rash, and body pains. Health officials have identified 25 contacts who are currently under monitoring for potential infection.
Ghana previously reported mpox cases in both 2022 and 2023. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency in August 2024, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has since spread to neighboring countries.
There are two main strains of mpox circulating: the clade I variant, endemic to parts of West and Central Africa, and the newer clade Ib strain, which is thought to spread more easily through close contact, including sexual transmission. The health authorities in Ghana are working quickly to determine which variant is behind the latest case.
