We must not let our guard down over Mpox threat

While the announcement by the Director of Public Health of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, that the country has not recorded any cases of monkeypox (Mpox) is welcome, it is not a reason to mass up for celebration.

Instead, the situation provides an opportunity to mobilise and strategise by marshalling every relevant resource to prevent any cases in the country or to be ready to contain any detected case in the country.

It is imperative that the health authorities remain vigilant and alert to all the possible paths of infection in the country, especially as Mpox continues to spread globally, posing a significant threat to the health of many.

It is incumbent on health authorities to build on the reassuring news by reinforcing surveillance systems, strengthening public education campaigns and maintaining a robust preparedness to ensure that Ghana remains ahead of the curve in the fight against this emerging infectious deadly disease.

There is no reason to fall into a false sense of security.

Dr Asiedu-Bekoe’s piece of good news or the rebuttal of the presence of the disease in the country was a reaction to a report by the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control when he granted the Daily Graphic an interview last Monday.

The ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (ECOWAS-RCSDC) had raised an alarm last Friday over the continued spread of Mpox in the region.

The centre said as of the end of Week 33 in 2024, there had been 44 confirmed cases and one death across several West African countries. It named the countries where cases had been recorded as Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia.

These are countries with close proximity to Ghana  geographically and with trade and business relations.

We have been down this road before. The COVID-19 pandemic caught us off guard, and despite initial efforts to contain it, we soon abandoned protocols and let our guard down.

The result was a surge in cases and a strain on our healthcare system. We cannot afford to make the same mistake with Mpox. Mpox is a highly infectious disease that can spread quickly if not properly contained.

The fact that Ghana has not recorded cases yet does not mean we are immune to the risk. 

It is the belief of the Daily Graphic that the country’s proximity to affected regions, coupled with the increasing mobility of people, make the country and its citizens vulnerable to an outbreak.

The paper is of the strongest conviction that the government and health authorities must remain vigilant and proactive in their approach to Mpox. This must include maintaining robust surveillance systems, enforcing strict protocols at entry points and ensuring that healthcare facilities are equipped to handle potential cases.

Moreover, public education and awareness campaigns are crucial in preventing the spread of Mpox. We must learn from our experience with COVID-19, where public fatigue and complacency led to a relaxation of safety protocols. We cannot afford to let our guard down again.

Collaboration with international partners, community engagement and diagnostic capacity-building will further strengthen our defences. Additionally, emergency preparedness plans must be in place, and healthcare workers must receive regular updates.

By taking these comprehensive steps, the country can reduce the risk of Mpox entering and spreading in the country.

The country has made significant strides in health care in recent years, but we must not become complacent. The threat of Mpox is real and all must take proactive measures to protect lives and communities.

While we celebrate the absence of the disease in the country, the Daily Graphic strongly cautions that the country must not let its guard down. We must remain vigilant, proactive and committed to preventing the spread of this emerging infectious disease.

The consequences of complacency would be too devastating to bear.