The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated laboratory reagents to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to bolster testing capabilities as the country grapples with a surge in Mpox infections.
The handover occurred on June 24, 2025, at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory in Accra. The donated supplies include PCR reagents capable of testing 3,400 suspected Mpox samples and additional kits for identifying the clade of 625 confirmed cases.
Acting Deputy Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Caroline Reindorf Amissah, welcomed the WHO’s support, pledging to actively seek out cases to bring the outbreak under control.
WHO Country Representative Dr. Fiona Braka stated that the reagents would enhance diagnostic speed, enabling prompt responses to suspected cases by health authorities.
Mpox Cases In Ghana
This donation comes as Ghana’s Mpox case count has reached 108, with 10 new infections confirmed by the GHS on June 20. None of the newly affected individuals have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. The latest patients are being managed on an outpatient basis, exhibiting symptoms such as fever, skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes.
The current case count represents an increase from the 98 cases reported on June 16. The two patients previously receiving hospital care have since been discharged, with no new admissions.
The GHS has issued a public advisory urging residents to maintain basic hygiene and avoid close physical contact. It also encourages the public to monitor for symptoms and seek early medical attention. Contact tracing and community-level surveillance are ongoing in affected areas.
Read About the Mpox Virus: MonkeyPox: Transmission, Symptoms and Prevention
Mpox is a viral illness primarily spread through direct contact with infected individuals. Early symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, followed by a rash on the face, chest, genitals, or limbs. While most cases resolve without complications, children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems face increased risks.
The Ghana Health Service has committed to keeping the public informed through official channels. The public is urged to avoid sharing personal items, practice good hygiene, and disregard unverified information, especially on social media.
The Monkeypox Disease
Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which also includes the smallpox virus. Originally discovered in 1958 in laboratory monkeys, the disease was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Transmission and Symptoms Of Monkeypox
Monkeypox primarily spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids or lesions of infected animals, such as rodents or primates. Human-to-human transmission can occur via respiratory droplets, as well as through contact with contaminated materials or surfaces. The monkeypox virus can infect people of all ages.
The symptoms of monkeypox can be quite severe and include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
After the initial symptoms, a characteristic rash develops, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash progresses through various stages, from flat spots to raised bumps, then to fluid-filled blisters, and finally to scabs.
We thank WHO for their donations may GOD bless them, by the way let us observe the necessary protocols