124 districts across all regions are affected by MPox disease – Health Minister

By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH

Ghana’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that 124 districts across all regions of Ghana have been affected by the MPox disease.

According to him, a total number of 1,038 cases of Mpox have been recorded as of March 3, 2026, with eight deaths confirmed.

Answering a Parliamentary question on the floor of Parliament today, Monday, March 9, 2026, the Health Minister disclosed that the Greater Accra and Western Regions are the most affected since the outbreak in May 2025.

He added that there is currently one affected person on admission with no critical cases.

According to him, the Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service and with partner support, has activated a coordinated multi-sectoral response aimed at interrupting transmission of the disease and protecting public health.

The minister noted that the response is being implemented through strengthened coordination and emergency operations, intensified surveillance and contact tracing with 21-day follow-up and sustained laboratory testing at the National Public Health reference laboratory, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research Case Management, and reinforced Infection Prevention and Control.

31, 231 persons have been vaccinated across 12 districts in the Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Western Regions, achieving coverage exceeding 95% of the target population, the Minister disclosed.

The Health Minister also announced that the medical bills of Mpox patients are being borne by the government.

“Government has further ensured that medical bills relating to the patients’ care during this outbreak are covered by the state so that no cost is passed on to the affected persons,” he stated.

Mr. Akandoh emphasised that the intensified response from the government and measures to contain the spread of Mpox are yielding positive results.

“Mr. Speaker, these interventions are yielding results. Although sporadic cases have been recorded over the past two months, the overall trend shows a significant decline following the introduction of vaccination. Average weekly cases have reduced from 28 cases per week to 7 cases per week.

“MPOX is also no longer classified as a public health emergency of international concern,” he said.

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