Monkeypox: GHS advises public to abstain from kissing and having sex
The Ghana Health Services (GHS) has advised the public to abstain from kissing and having sex with monkeypox patients.
This is to prevent contracting the disease, which is spread through close body contact, according to the GHS.
The advice came after the GHS announced a reported case of monkeypox in Bia West District of the Western North Region.
The GHS also announced that 230 suspected monkeypox, also known as mpox, cases had been found in 88 districts across the country.
The GHS is asking people to stay vigilant and take preventative steps.
They advise anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with monkeypox to seek prompt medical assistance to help prevent future virus transmission.
The Director of Public Health at GHS, Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, in an interview with OTEC News’ reporter Kwame Agyenim Boateng on Friday, October 4, 2024 also advised avoiding contact with patients’ clothes.
“The symptoms of mpox include rashes and boils on the body, and the likelihood of contracting the disease is higher when there is body contact,” Dr Asiedu-Bekoe stated.
“It is, therefore, advisable to avoid kissing and having sex, which involve close body contact, with people suspected of having the pox disease,” he advised.
Overview
Mpox is an infectious disease that can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle ache, back pain, and low energy.
Most people fully recover, but some get very sick. Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV).
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
