What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus.

This viral infection is zoonotic in origin, meaning, it can spread from animals (who normally harbour these viruses without showing any clinical symptoms) to humans.

It can also spread from humans to other humans and from the environment to humans.

Monkeypox cases are rare Ghana. Most cases are reported in West and Central Africa, primarily in the DRC, Nigeria and Cameroon.

This infection is usually among individuals who report contact with wild primates or other mammals which may harbour the disease.

The last confirmed monkeypox outbreak in Ghana was reported in 2003.

In recent times, cases of monkeypox have emerged in Ghana.

As of July 24, 2022, the Ghana Health Service has identified 34 confirmed monkeypox cases in 6 different regions.

Over the same period, officials also identified 159 suspected cases. Most cases have been reported from the Greater Accra region, with cases also reported from Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, East, and Upper West.

As disease surveillance and contact tracing continue, officials may identify additional cases in the coming weeks.

Symptoms of Monkeypox: Monkey pox has an incubation period of between 5 and 21 days.

The most common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle ache, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

This can also be accompanied by the development of a rash which may last for 2 to 3 weeks.

The rash can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, genital and/or anal regions.

It may also be found in the mouth, throat, anus or vagina, or on the eyes. Sores on the skin normally begin flat, then fill with liquid before they crust over, dry up and fall off, with a fresh layer of skin forming underneath.

Those typically at higher risk include pregnant women, children and persons whose immune system has been compromised. Symptoms usually go away on their own or with supportive care, such as medication for pain or fever.

However, people remain infectious until all of the sores have crusted over, the scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath.

How are they spread?

Person-to-person transmission: Monkeypox spreads from person to person through close contact with someone who has a monkeypox rash.

Close contact can mean being face-to-face (such as talking, breathing or singing close to one another which can generate droplets or short-range aerosols); skin-to-skin (such as touching or vaginal/anal sex); mouth-to-mouth (such as kissing); or mouth-to-skin contact (such as oral sex or kissing the skin).

Fomite transmission:  Environments can become contaminated with the monkeypox virus: for example, when an infectious person touches clothing, bedding, towels, objects, electronics and surfaces, anyone else who touches these items may become infected if they have any cuts or abrasions or if they accidentally touch their eyes, nose, mouth or other mucous membranes.

Vertical transmission: The virus can also spread during pregnancy to the fetus, during or after birth through skin-to-skin contact, or from a parent with monkeypox to an infant or child during close contact.

Since many species of animals are known to be susceptible to the monkeypox virus, there is the potential for spillback of the virus from humans to susceptible animal species in different settings, which could lead to the formation of novel animal reservoirs.

How can we protect ourselves from Monkeypox:

(i) People who have confirmed or suspected monkeypox infection should avoid close physical contact with animals, including pets (such as cats, dogs, hamsters, gerbils etc.) livestock and wildlife.

(ii) Practice basic health precautions, including frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering the nose and mouth when coughing, and avoiding obviously ill individuals.

(iii) Avoid overcrowded areas, such as nightclubs, and consider using safe sexual practices, such as physical barriers (condoms), in countries reporting high monkeypox transmission.

(iv) Cleaning your hands after touching objects that may be contaminated can help prevent this type of transmission. It may also be possible to become infected from breathing in skin flakes or virus from clothing, bedding or towels.

Prof Samuel Fosu Gyasi is Associate Professor of Microbiology & Global Health) Dean, School of Sciences, Research Fellow, Centre for Research in Applied Biology University of Energy & Natural Resources-UENR Sunyani-Ghana

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Ghana’s first presidential jet was the DH125 acquired in 1962 by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who used it till he was ousted in the February 24, 1966 coup.

The second presidential jet was acquired by General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong in 1976. That is the Dutch-made Fokker 28.

The third presidential jet-the Gulfstream GIII was brought by President Jerry John Rawlings. It was bought from the Americans and arrived in 1998.

Its purchase generated controversy and President John Agyekun Kufuor refused to use it opting for commercial flights till his administration purchased one. The Gulfstream was sold in 2006.

Kufuor explained that apart from the fact that the Gulfstream was old, there were also related issues about the circumstances surrounding its purchase by the Jerry Rawlings regime since it did not go through Parliament, and its purchase was also shrouded in secrecy.

The current and fourth presidential jet was ordered in 2008 by Kufuor.

The Falcon 900 EX-Easy aircraft carries 12 passengers minus crew.
Kufuor explained that after his government placed an order for the Falcon, manufacturers of the aircraft approached Ghana in a bid to convince government to purchase a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) which can carry over 100 passengers and about 40 passengers on VVIP setting.

An agreement was reached with the company to put Ghana’s name in a queue so that when the country could afford a second aircraft, Ghana will not have to join a long queue.

In 2010, the President Mills’ government was accused of double standards for inaugurating the new presidential jet though kicking against it in opposition.

Minister of Defence at the time, Lt. General J.H. Smith, said at the inaugurating that the plane goes beyond political party consideration as both the Kufour and Mills administrations worked hard to acquire it.

He said the presidential jet would enable the presidency to travel in comfort in the sub-region and beyond.

The Defence Minister said there was a problem with the old Fokker 28 aka ‘Flying Coffin’ which should have “gone on retirement long ago.”

However, when the President used the Falcon 900 Ex-Easy Jet, most of the presidential staffers, security details and presidential press corp travelled commercial, with increased cost and its attendant delays.

Aside the occupancy challenges, the current Falcon for presidential travels has to be stopping to refuel when on long travels.

President Mills preferred flying commercial a number of times instead of using the Falcon during his tenure.

However, his Communication Director Koku Anyidoho recently revealed the difficulties President Mills went through especially on international travels, when he opted to travel commercial.

He said security people were not happy because it was unsafe and it inconvenienced other passengers on the commercial flights in the process.

He said President Mills chartered a flight on one occasion from USA to Venezuela.

He disclosed that the life threatening challenges President Mills encounter in domestic travels even on a chartered flight led to the purchase of the Embraer for the Airforce from Brazil.

In his assessment, the experience of the Mills government between 2009 and 2012 was indicative that President Kufuor’s decision was in the interest of the state, safety for the presidency and cost saving.

In spite of all these difficulties narrated by Koku Anyidoho and some near death experiences that the current president and John Mahama are said to have escaped, a resort to private jets by President Nana Akufo-Addo has generated controversy.

The government has indicated that processes have been commenced to buy a new presidential but once again, the NDC has kicked against it.

It is important to note that by the time the new jet is delivered; President Akufo-Addo would have ended his presidential tenure and will therefore not have the opportunity to use it.

In the event that the NDC wins the 2024 elections, it will be the first to enjoy the presidential jet just as Mills was the first to use the presidential jet purchased by Kufuor.

There is no denying that the Ghana Airforce needs a bigger aircraft which can be used by the Airforce and also serve presidential travel needs.

This whole business of how we take care of our presidency, how we manage the presidency needs to be looked at in the broader public debate devoid of parochial political interest.

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Ghana yesterday joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week to raise awareness and galvanise support for the practice.

The global campaign, which is observed from August 1 to 7 is coordinated by the World Alliance for breastfeeding.

This year’s celebration is on the theme: “Step up for Breastfeeding – Educate and Support,” and focuses on enhancing the capability of those who must safeguard, support, and promote breastfeeding at all societal levels.

Breastmilk is specially formulated to satisfy the developing and medical needs of children, making nursing the gold standard for newborn and child nutrition.

Breastfeeding also serves as a baby’s first vaccination, protecting them from a variety of common childhood ailments, the statement added.

It is key to sustainable development strategies post-pandemic, as it improves nutrition, ensures food security, and reduces inequalities between and within countries.

In addition, it is a key to child survival and a developmental strategy for improvement in a country’s economic gains, which is an important issue as the country recovers from the pandemic.

Breastfeeding mothers benefit from a warm network of support, including help with housework, call-ups, and the construction of an enabling environment from healthcare systems and staff, family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

Breastfeeding is the ideal way of feeding babies, offering them the nutrients they need in the right balance that protect them against childhood diseases.

However, poor breastfeeding and nutrition in the formative years of children can cause irreversible damage to the physical growth and mental development of the child.

In Ghana, 52% of children younger than six months are exclusively breastfed.

Breast milk contains antibodies that build body immunity against virus and bacteria among babies and infants.

It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses.

Breast Milk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life.

Studies show that exclusive breastfeeding reduced the risk of overweight or obesity in children by 13%, helping to fight chronic diseases.

Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese, and less prone to diabetes later in life.

Women who breastfeed tend to recover from childbirth faster than women who choose not to nurse their babies.

Breastfeeding may reduce your risk of ovarian and breast cancer.

It may also decrease your chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease as you age.

Typically, menstruation returns approximately one month after mother stops breastfeeding exclusively.

However, breastfeeding can prevent period from returning for three–six months or even longer.

The health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding practices in both the short and long term accrue to breastfed infants, mothers, families and the society at large.

Therefore, intensifying awareness on breastfeeding is not just a sole responsibility of the woman, but rather a shared and collective responsibility of the entire society.

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