Ghana Confirms 11 New Mpox Cases, Total Hits 197

Accra, Ghana - 17 July, 2025 - Ghana has confirmed 11 new cases of Mpox, bringing the total number of infections to 197 as of 11 July 2025, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

The steady increase in cases highlights the need for heightened public awareness and adherence to preventive measures to curb the spread of the viral disease.The latest figures mark a rise from the 170 cases reported on 6 July, with the Western Region being the most affected, recording 97 confirmed cases out of 387 suspected infections between January and 12 July 2025.

Despite the uptick, health officials have reassured the public that the situation remains under control, with no new hospitalisations or fatalities recorded. Ghana has reported zero deaths from Mpox in this outbreak, a stark contrast to the broader African context, where the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) noted over 4,200 deaths from Mpox and cholera combined in 2025.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral illness transmitted primarily through close physical contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated surfaces. 

Symptoms typically include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash that can develop into painful lesions. While most cases in Ghana have been mild and managed without hospitalisation, the GHS warns that vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, face a higher risk of complications.

In response to the outbreak, the GHS has ramped up containment efforts, including enhanced surveillance, rapid response teams, and community outreach programmes. 

The Ghana Red Cross Society has trained 100 volunteers in the Western Region to raise awareness about Mpox prevention, focusing on educating communities about the importance of avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals and maintaining good hand hygiene.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also supported Ghana’s response by donating test kits and laboratory reagents on 24 June 2025, enabling the screening of 3,400 suspected cases and testing of 625 confirmed samples.