Ghana Confirms First Mpox Death as Infections Rise Sharply
Ghana has recorded its first death from Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, amid a surge in infections, health authorities confirmed on Sunday.
According to officials, 23 new cases were reported in the past week alone — the highest weekly increase since the country first detected the virus in June 2022. The latest cases bring the national total to 257 confirmed infections.
“This is the first fatality we’ve recorded, but the situation remains under control,” said Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, adding that early detection and responsible behaviour are key to containing the outbreak.
Mpox is a viral illness related to smallpox. It causes fever, muscle aches, and a distinctive skin rash. The disease spreads primarily through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects and, in some cases, can be fatal.
Ghana is expecting to receive its first batch of Mpox vaccines from the World Health Organization (WHO) this week. Franklyn Asiedu-Bekoe, a director at the country’s public health agency, said that high-risk populations have been identified, and vaccinations will begin once the doses arrive.
The rising Mpox numbers in Ghana reflect a growing public health challenge across West Africa. In Sierra Leone alone, over 3,300 cases and 16 deaths were recorded between January and May 2025.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Burundi have also reported thousands of cases this year. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says more than 47,000 confirmed cases and 221 deaths have been recorded across the continent since January 2024, with over 27,000 reported in 2025.
In June, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the escalating outbreak an international health emergency, citing the rapid spread across West African nations.
Ghanaian health officials continue to urge the public to seek early medical attention for symptoms and to avoid close contact with infected individuals as containment efforts ramp up.
