Ghana reports first mpox case but variant not yet clear


  • World
  • Friday, 04 Oct 2024

FILE PHOTO: An undated colorized transmission electron micrograph of mpox virus particles (pink) found within an infected cell (yellow), cultured in the laboratory, captured at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. NIAID/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

ACCRA (Reuters) - Ghana's health service has reported the country's first case of mpox this year, without disclosing which variant had been recorded, according to a statement.

A health official told Reuters that testing was underway to determine whether it was the clade Ib form of the mpox virus that has triggered global concern, as it appears to be spreading quickly and little is known about the strain.

Ghana previously recorded cases of mpox in 2022 and 2023.

The statement described the patient as a young male, with a fever, rash and body pains. It said 25 contacts have been identified and are being monitored.

The World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years in August, following an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighbouring countries.

Two strains of mpox are spreading - the clade I variant, which is endemic in parts of West and Central Africa, and the new clade Ib, which spreads more easily through close contact, including sexual.

(Reporting Christian Akorlie; writing by Jessica Donati; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Trump aide Waltz says U.S. needs Ukrainian leader who wants peace
Turkey's Kurds say PKK militants heeding jailed leader's peace call is the right move
Israeli colonists storm Al-Aqsa Mosque on second day of Ramadan
Austrian liberals' vote removes last obstacle to coalition government
Ukraine condemns IAEA nuclear plant visit via Russian-occupied territory
Exclusive-Germany weighs special funds for defence and infrastructure, sources say
Russia praises Trump and scolds Europe for being the crucible of war
Cargo plane makes emergency landing at New Jersey airport after bird strike, engine fire
NGO's newspaper ad asks Americans for donations after Trump's drastic aid cuts
Oscars take the stage on Sunday with best picture up for grabs

Others Also Read