The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed that 34 persons have contracted the new monkeypox virus in Ghana.
According to the Health Service, the monkey pox as at 15th July have reached the new 34 confirmed cases with no death recorded at of the same date.
The World Health Organization on Saturday declared the international monkeypox outbreak a global emergency, a decision that underscores concerns about rapidly spreading infections sparked by the virus.
Speaking during the Information Ministry's Meet the Press Series, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye stressed that, the virus which has mainly affected male has the Greater Accra Region as the region with most affected cases.
He stressed that, the GHS has intensify its education and contact tracing to ensure that the virus is brought down as he urged Ghanaians to quickly report any symptoms as soon as possible.
On the issue of Marburg virus, Dr Kumah Aboagye noted that, the confirmed cases still stand at 1 with 2 other recorded yet to be confirmed as they are under testing.
He added that, they are enhancing the contact tracing exercise to ensure that, the virus is curtailed.
The Director-General added that the Marburg virus is more dangerous than ebola.
He stressed that although Marburg Virus is similar to Ebola, it is more dangerous than ebola.
"Marburg Virus kills faster than Ebola" he added.
The Director-General also cautioned the public to avoid over crowded places.
On implementation of several interventions with focus on three regions ; Ashanti, Savannah and Western, he noted that a cumulative list of 118 contacts in 3 districts in the 3 regions were identified
"Ashanti- 50; Savannah- 48 and Western- 20. 19 of the contacts were Health Community Workers (HCW) ; 99 were close family members or household/community contacts"
"All contacts have completed the mandatory 21-day follow-up as of the 21st of July 2022".
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye revealed that one close contact reported symptoms after the maximum incubation period
Tested positive together with his close contact (yet to be corroborated by IPD).
He noted that the individual died on 21st July 2022.
The Director-General also said "Currently, 40 additional contacts have been identified in the Savannah Region and are being followed up 11 of the 40 contacts are Health Care Workers.
Daily monitoring of temperature and general health and wellbeing being undertaken by healthcare staff in the affected district"
On the total covid-19 vaccine doses administered, he said, "As May 31, health persons had recorded 15,496,852; on June 30, it stood at 17,409,005 and on July 20, we are at 18,396,070"
Ghana is currently facing three public health emergencies; Covid-19, Monkeypox and Marburg Virus.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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