One person from the Upper East Region of Ghana has been confirmed dead after a positive test for monkeypox. The Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Emmanuel Kofi Dzotsi has confirmed this incident.Β
According to Dr. Kofi Dzotsi it’s the first case of monkeypox to be reported in the region. In an announcement the doctor said the fact that “the confirmed case was seen on the 22 July 2022 at the Upper East Regional Hospital with history of fever and skin rash.”
“Unfortunately the case was pronounced dead on July 26, 2022. The samples were taken on the 22nd of July, 2022, to confirm the results in the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) located in Accra. We received a response on the 28th of July 2022 that indicated the test result was positive for Monkeypox disease.”
Dr. Dzotsi stated that 13 contacts related to the confirmed case have been identified to be eligible for monitor and follow-up of contacts. “As of 31st July 2022 no additional cases have been confirmed,” said the doctor.Β The monkeypox epidemic has been declared a worldwide medical emergency in the World Health Organization.
The classification is the most severe alert can be issued by the WHO can issue, and it follows an increase in the number of cases reported worldwide. There are more than 22,000 reported cases been reported in 85 countries.