Preparing for future outbreaks in Ghana: An overview of current COVID-19, monkeypox, and Marburg disease outbreaks

Isaac Owusu; Collins Adu; Richard Gyan Aboagye; Rebecca Ann Mpangah; Gideon K Acheampong; Ernest Akyereko; Emmanuel Osei Bonsu; Prince Peprah

doi:10.34172/hpp.2023.25

Preparing for future outbreaks in Ghana: An overview of current COVID-19, monkeypox, and Marburg disease outbreaks

Health Promot Perspect. 2023 Sep 11;13(3):202-211. doi: 10.34172/hpp.2023.25. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Isaac Owusu¹, Collins Adu², Richard Gyan Aboagye³, Rebecca Ann Mpangah¹, Gideon K Acheampong¹, Ernest Akyereko⁴, Emmanuel Osei Bonsu⁵, Prince Peprah⁶

Affiliations

¹ Ghana Health Service, Headquarters, Accra, Ghana.
² College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
³ Fred Newton Binka School of Public Health, University of Health, and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana.
⁴ Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
⁵ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
⁶ Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity/Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Abstract

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana is currently grappling with simultaneous outbreaks of Marburg virus disease and human monkeypox virus. The coexistence of these outbreaks emphasizes the imperative for a collaborative and global approach to enhance surveillance and expedite case detection. While Ghana has made efforts to respond to these outbreaks, this paper outlines the lessons learned and proposes recommendations in this regard. It is crucial to intensify response efforts at the local, regional, and national levels to effectively contain the spread of these infectious diseases. Therefore, this paper suggests prioritizing the following recommendations as crucial for assisting Ghana in adequately preparing for future outbreaks and safeguarding global public health: strengthening surveillance system through digitization, rapid and effective response; risk communication and community engagement; healthcare system readiness; and research and collaboration. Also, prioritizing building healthy public policies and developing personal skills of health personnel across the country is key for future outbreak response.

Keywords: COVID-19; Ghana; Marburg virus; Monkeypox virus; Outbreak response.

Publication types

Review