Monkeypox is a contagious viral disease that has attracted worldwide attention in recent years, including here in Ghana.
It is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family, the same family that includes the smallpox virus.
While monkeypox is less severe than smallpox, it still poses health risks and requires public awareness to reduce its spread.
On the global stage, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a public health emergency in 2022 after it spread beyond Africa to Europe, North America, and Asia.
In Ghana, the Ghana Health Service has confirmed cases in areas such as Greater Accra and the Eastern Region.
Ghana is also linked to the 2003 outbreak in the United States, where rodents exported from the country carried the virus.
This shows how diseases can cross borders and affect people far beyond their place of origin.
Orthopoxviruses are known for their ability to survive outside the body for long periods, especially on clothing, bedding, or surfaces.
They enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Once inside, they multiply quickly and spread through the bloodstream to different organs, causing fever, swollen lymph nodes, and the characteristic rash.
These rashes progress from raised spots to blisters, then scabs.
Most cases are mild, and recovery takes two to four weeks.
However, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness.
Their resilience in the environment and ease of transmission explain why monkeypox can spread both from animals to humans and from person to person.
While there is no specific cure, supportive care and some antiviral medicines can help. Vaccines originally developed for smallpox have also been found to protect against monkeypox.
To protect ourselves and our communities, it is important to avoid unnecessary contact with wild animals, practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly, and follow health guidelines issued by authorities.
If you or someone you know develops unusual rashes or symptoms, it is crucial to visit the nearest health facility immediately.
Early reporting helps prevent wider spread.
Mpox is a reminder that public health is everyone’s responsibility.
By staying informed and practicing preventive measures, we can protect ourselves, our families, our nation and beyond.
About the writer
Christophine Yirenkyi is a student at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), where she studies biochemistry and molecular biology in the School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences.
She is also an activist for the Mpox crisis across Ghana, Africa and the Globe.
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