Health authorities in the Ashanti Region have ramped up disease surveillance and public education efforts as a precautionary response to Mpox (Monkeypox), even though no confirmed cases have been recorded in the region so far.
At a press briefing in Kumasi, Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Service, confirmed that all 10 suspected cases tested across the region have returned negative results. Despite this, heightened surveillance is ongoing in all 43 districts to ensure early detection and rapid response to any potential outbreak.
The intensified vigilance follows confirmed Mpox cases in the Greater Accra and Western Regions. Dr. Adomako-Boateng said alerts have been sent to all district health offices, urging them to activate emergency response protocols.
“Our goal is to stay ahead of the curve. While we have no cases yet, we cannot afford to be complacent,” he stated.
To bolster frontline preparedness, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has begun distributing educational materials and fact sheets on Mpox to health workers, while public awareness campaigns are also being rolled out across communities.
Dr. Adomako-Boateng explained that Mpox is a viral illness transmitted through close contact with infected individuals or animals, particularly through exposure to lesions, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or consumption of contaminated meat.
The Regional Director encouraged the public to be alert to symptoms such as fever, fatigue, joint pain, headache, and a distinctive rash that typically starts on the face before spreading. He urged anyone experiencing such symptoms to seek immediate medical attention, cautioning that the rash could be confused with diseases like measles.
While there is no approved antiviral treatment for Mpox, Dr. Adomako-Boateng noted that most patients, especially those with strong immune systems, recover with supportive care.
“Infection prevention remains our top priority—for both healthcare workers and the general public,” he emphasized.
He called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders, including traditional authorities, civil society, and the media, to strengthen community resilience against the disease.
“We are committed to maintaining Ashanti Region’s Mpox-free status, and that depends heavily on public cooperation and vigilance,” he concluded.
