37 new Mpox cases pushes total to 409

A significant surge in Mpox cases has been recorded, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to over 400.

According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), 37 new cases were recorded as of August 14, 2025, raising the cumulative total to 409.

The GHS also reported that two cases are currently on admission, emphasising the ongoing threat posed by the viral disease.

The Ghana Health Service issued an urgent public health update to inform the public of the new figures and to reinforce essential safety precautions.

The update comes amid a broader continental resurgence of the disease, which prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to renew its “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” declaration in August 2024.

Protecting Yourself and Others

The GHS continues to stress that Mpox spreads mainly through close physical contact with an infected person. In light of the recent surge, the Service’s recommendations for public safety include:

• Avoiding close contact with infected persons, especially those with visible rashes.
• Washing hands often with soap and water to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Avoiding regular touching of your eyes, nose, and mouth, which can be entry points for the virus.

The GHS urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility for prompt diagnosis and management. Symptoms of Mpox include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic skin rash that can be painful.

The Rise of Competition: Docuseries and High-Quality Productions

Another genre is also encroaching on reality TV’s space—docuseries. With true crime, investigative documentaries, and high-quality, multi-part series taking center stage, viewers are flocking to well-researched, deeply engaging nonfiction stories. These docuseries often provide more substance than reality TV, with compelling narratives that feel more authentic and educational. Streaming platforms are investing heavily in this content, attracting viewers who might have previously tuned into reality TV for an entertaining escape.

Ironically, the ongoing 2024 writers strike may have hurt reality TV more than it helped this time around. While it once provided an opportunity for unscripted content to dominate, today’s strike has caused uncertainty across the entire entertainment industry. Even though reality TV is unscripted, many of these shows rely heavily on behind-the-scenes writing teams for story shaping, post-production edits, and narrative development. With production delays and fewer resources, the quality of reality programming has suffered.

People ignore design that ignores people. Good design is all about making other designers feel like idiots because that idea wasn’t theirs. Design is the conscious effort to impose a meaningful order.

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Furthermore, streaming platforms have dipped into the reality genre themselves, but with more focused, niche offerings like The Circle or Love Is Blind. These shows cater to specific audiences and thrive on the binge-watching format, leaving older reality shows struggling to maintain weekly viewer engagement.

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube offer a more authentic and unfiltered look into people’s lives than traditional reality shows. Influencers, with their real-time interactions and behind-the-scenes content, have become the new reality stars. The constant flow of content from influencers feels more personal and less produced, which resonates with today’s audiences.

The Impact of the 2024 Writers Strike

Ironically, the ongoing 2024 writers strike may have hurt reality TV more than it helped this time around. While it once provided an opportunity for unscripted content to dominate, today’s strike has caused uncertainty across the entire entertainment industry. Even though reality TV is unscripted, many of these shows rely heavily on behind-the-scenes writing teams for story shaping, post-production edits, and narrative development. With production delays and fewer resources, the quality of reality programming has suffered.