The Nkwanta North District in the Oti Region has confirmed its first case of mpox, a viral disease that has drawn global concern in recent years.
The case was identified after a resident who had travelled from Accra presented with symptoms consistent with the disease and later tested positive.
That thus marks the district’s first official report of the virus, raising concerns about possible community spread given the area’s proximity to other towns and active trading routes.
GHS
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been on the rise in Ghana.
The Ghana Health Service had reported over 446 as of August 25, 2025, confirmed cases across 10 regions. In the Western Region, about nine out of the 14 districts contributed to the high case count, with Tarkwa Nsuaem recording the highest number, accounting for more than 70 per cent.
The spread has been largely linked to inter-regional travel, market activities and delayed detection of cases.
With Nkwanta North now affected, health officials fear that movement between nearby towns could accelerate the spread if immediate interventions are not put in place.
Experts
Health experts suggest that the probable cause of spread in the Oti Region stems from increasing trade and human mobility between Accra, the Western Region and border communities.
Similar patterns have been observed in previous outbreaks, where initial imported cases seeded clusters in markets and transport corridors.
The Ghana Health Service has therefore advised strict contact tracing, early testing and enhanced public education to curb the possibility of the virus gaining a foothold in the district.
To manage the situation, residents are being urged to report immediately to the nearest health facility if they develop symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes or a rash.
People should also avoid close contact with anyone showing signs of the illness, refrain from sharing clothing, bedding or utensils with suspected cases, and practice regular hand washing with soap and water.
Health authorities are further recommending immediate isolation of confirmed cases, 21-day monitoring of contacts and community education campaigns led by health workers and local leaders.
If these measures are followed, officials believe the district can prevent the virus from spreading and protect neighbouring towns from a wider outbreak.
