Health Ministry Steps Up Yellow Fever Response as 450 Suspected Cases Are Recorded
The Ministry of Health has stepped up surveillance and vaccination efforts following the recording of 450 suspected yellow fever cases across Ghana’s 16 regions, with the government assuring the public that the situation remains under control.
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, gave the assurance during a media briefing on Friday in Accra, urging the public to remain calm, follow official health advice and avoid spreading unverified information.
He said the Upper West Region had recorded 88 suspected cases, three of which had been confirmed by the reference laboratory at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
The suspected cases in the region were reported in Wa West (27), Sissala West (23), Sissala East (21), Efiama Msua Busa (7), Nadowli-Kaleo (1), Wa East (1) and Wa West Municipal (1), alongside seven cases in the Funsi area.
Mr Akandoh said health authorities were investigating reported deaths in connection with the outbreak, stressing that such deaths could not be attributed to yellow fever without laboratory confirmation.
As part of efforts to contain the outbreak, the government is expanding vaccination beyond routine childhood immunisation to cover people aged nine months to 60 years in affected areas.
The Minister disclosed that an additional 187,000 vaccine doses had been requested to support the campaign, adding that vaccination teams were ready to begin the exercise in the Upper West Region.
Mr Akandoh cautioned the public against misinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding vaccines, emphasising the need for people to rely on credible health information and cooperate with authorities during the vaccination campaign.
He reiterated that public cooperation, timely vaccination, and adherence to preventive measures would be important in controlling the outbreak and protecting communities in affected areas.
The Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, explained that yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes and does not spread directly from one person to another.
He said common symptoms include fever, headache, body pains and abdominal discomfort, while severe cases could result in bleeding.
Dr Asiedu-Bekoe advised the public to take practical steps to prevent mosquito bites, including using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and sleeping under mosquito nets.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant during the day, when the mosquitoes that transmit yellow fever are active.
Grace Acheampong, ISD
