The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Health Directorate in the Western Region has urged the media to support the directorate to intensify the sensitisation and awareness creation on the Mpox disease among the people.

Dr Pius Mensah, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metro Health Director, who made the call said the move had become necessary to deepen public education on the best practices to help break the chain of Mpox transmission within the Metropolis.

In an interview with journalists, he stated that Mpox cases were on the rise in Sekondi-Takoradi with over 70 confirmed infections recorded so far.

The number of suspected cases also stood at 184, with the confirmed cases reported in about 15 communities, especially those in the coastal areas, he added.

According to Dr Mensah, three healthcare workers were among those that had contracted the disease and were undergoing treatment.

He said: “We are concerned over the worsening situation in the Metropolis, so we are imploring you the media to help carry the message out there to the people to take responsibility of their safety so that we can contain the spread of the Mpox disease here.”

Dr Mensah also appealed to the public to avoid behaviours that could lead to contracting or spreading the disease.

He added: “The situation requires collective vigilance and adherence to public health guidelines to curtail further spread of Mpox in the metropolis.”