NewsDesk @bactiman63

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the African country of Ghana has joined the list of countries reporting monkeypox infection among humans in the African region.

Accra
Map of Ghana/CIA

On 8 June 2022, the country reported five confirmed cases detected out of 12 suspected cases sampled between 24 May and 8 June 2022. The cases were reported from the Eastern, Western, and Greater Accra regions.

According to a Crisis24 report, monkeypox does not naturally occur in Ghana; most cases are reported in West and Central Africa, primarily in the DRC, Nigeria, and Cameroon among individuals who report contact with animals which may harbor the disease.

Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a viral zoonotic disease, meaning that it can spread from animals to humans. It can also spread between people.

Symptoms of monkeypox typically include a fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash or lesions. The rash usually begins within one to three days of the start of a fever. Lesions can be flat or slightly raised, filled with clear or yellowish fluid, and can then crust, dry up and fall off. The number of lesions on one person can range from a few to several thousand. The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. They can also be found on the mouth, genitals and eyes.

Symptoms typically last between 2 to 4 weeks and go away on their own without treatment. If you think you have symptoms that could be monkeypox, seek advice from your health care provider. Let them know if you have had close contact with someone who has suspected or confirmed monkeypox.