WHO supports Ghana’s Mpox fight with test kits to screen over 3,000 suspected cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated laboratory reagents to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to support testing as the country deals with a rise in Mpox infections.

The supplies were handed over on June 24, 2025, at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory in Accra. They include PCR reagents capable of testing 3,400 suspected Mpox samples, along with additional kits to help identify the clade of 625 confirmed cases.

Receiving the items on behalf of the GHS, Acting Deputy Director-General Dr Caroline Reindorf Amissah welcomed the WHO’s support.

“We promise from our end to do our bit, go out there, and look for the cases to make sure that this is really brought under control,” she said.

WHO Country Representative Dr Fiona Braka said the reagents should help improve the speed of diagnosis and allow health authorities to respond quickly to suspected cases.

This comes as Ghana’s Mpox case count has risen to 108. An update issued by the GHS on June 20 confirmed 10 new infections.

According to the Service, none of the newly affected individuals has been hospitalised, and no deaths have been recorded.

The GHS said the latest patients are being managed on an outpatient basis and are showing symptoms such as fever, skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. So far, there have been no reports of serious complications.

The current case count is an increase from the June 16 update, which placed the national figure at 98. At that time, two patients were reported to be receiving hospital care. Both have since been discharged, and no new admissions have occurred.

In a public advisory, the Service urged residents to maintain basic hygiene and avoid close physical contact. “Keep your hands clean and avoid close physical contact,” the statement said. It also encouraged the public to monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention early.

Health workers are continuing contact tracing and community-level surveillance in areas where cases have been recorded.

Mpox is a viral illness that spreads mainly through direct contact with infected individuals. Early symptoms include fever, muscle aches and fatigue, followed by a rash that can appear on the face, chest, genitals or limbs.

While most cases recover without problems, health professionals warn that children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems may face increased risks.

The Ghana Health Service says it will keep the public informed through its official platforms. It has urged Ghanaians to avoid sharing personal items, practise good hygiene, and disregard unverified information, particularly on social media.