Ghana’s health authorities announced on Sunday the country’s first recorded death from the monkeypox virus (Mpox), as the West African nation faces a sharp rise in new infections.

In a statement, the Ghanaian Health Ministry reported 23 new confirmed cases in the past week, bringing the total number of infections since June 2022 to 257—marking the highest weekly increase since the outbreak began.

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh stated that "the situation is under control" but stressed the importance of "early detection and responsible behavior" to curb the virus's spread.

The outbreak in Ghana reflects a broader trend across West Africa. According to data released last week by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the continent has recorded over 47,000 confirmed cases and 221 deaths since January 2024, with at least 27,000 of these cases reported in 2025 alone.

Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the virus remains a public health emergency of international concern, particularly given the rising cases in West Africa.