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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) announced the country’s first-ever death due to Mpox (monkeypox) Sunday, as infections continue to escalate sharply.
In a statement issued Sunday, GHS officials confirmed that 23 new Mpox cases were detected in the latest week, bringing the total to 257 confirmed cases as of July 22. All previously identified cases were mild and had resulted in no deaths or hospitalizations.
This marks the first recorded Mpox-related fatality in Ghana since the outbreak began in mid‑May 2025, according to the Kuwait news agency Kuna. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh emphasized that the epidemic remains manageable but urged citizens to follow safety protocols: early diagnosis, reporting of symptoms and responsible community behavior are vital to controlling further spread.
Officials noted that Mpox primarily spreads through close physical contact, including skin-to-skin, face-to-face, or mouth-to-skin contact. Those at particular risk include children, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Mpox is a zoonotic viral illness similar to smallpox. Common symptoms include:
The virus spreads through direct contact with infected skin lesions or bodily fluids, or through contaminated materials like bedding and clothing.
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