Mpox cases have risen to four, following a fresh outbreak in May 2025.

Two additional cases have been confirmed in Accra by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, following the first reported case on Thursday, May 15.

The latest infections, one in the Greater Accra Region and another in the Western Region, were confirmed in a statement released by GHS Director-General Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea on Sunday, May 18.

The release said the respective regional health directorates have promptly activated public health measures, including contact tracing, to prevent further spread of the virus.

Preliminary assessments indicate that these two newly confirmed cases have no epidemiological link to the earlier reported cases.

“We take this opportunity to remind the public that Mpox is a viral disease transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated materials.

“Common symptoms include rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes,” the release added.

Ghana’s outbreak of Mpox began on June 8, 2022, when five initial cases were reported.

By November 2023, the country had confirmed a total of 34 cases. Before this outbreak, Mpox was not known to be endemic in Ghana.

A circular signed by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service called for a renewed response to the threat, including improved detection and response strategies.

Mpox is a viral illness similar to smallpox. It typically causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. The virus spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s skin or bodily fluids, including through sexual contact. Symptoms may include fever, rash or lesions, tiredness, headaches, muscle and back pain, and swollen glands.

Across Africa, the disease remains a major concern. As of March 2025, more than 24,200 cases and around 260 deaths have been recorded in 22 countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been hardest hit, accounting for a large share of both the cases and the fatalities.