Ghana reports first mpox case but variant not yet clear

An undated colour transmission electron microscope image of mpox virus particles (pink) found within an infected cell (yellow), cultured in the laboratory, captured at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. REUTERS

Ghana's health service has reported the country's first case of mpox this year, without disclosing which variant had been recorded, according to a statement.

A health official told Reuters that testing was underway to determine whether it was the clade Ib form of the mpox virus that has triggered global concern, as it appears to be spreading rapidly and little is known about the strain.