Health authorities have detected around 450 suspected cases of yellow fever across the country between June and September this year, with the Upper West Region emerging as a primary area of concern.
Out of the regional total of 74 suspected cases, three have been laboratory-confirmed so far in the Upper West Region.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh disclosed the figures during the Ministry of Health’s Health Sector Update Engagement in Accra, where he explained the vital role of laboratory testing in identifying the cause of illness or death.
“As of yesterday, the suspected cases were around 450 from June to September. Of those, 74 were from the Upper West, and 3 were confirmed from the Upper West. You see, sometimes the health professionals have a way of determining whether or not a death is attributable to a particular disease, but not until it’s confirmed,” he said.
In response to the outbreak, the government has intensified surveillance and emergency measures, particularly across northern Ghana. Testing capacities have been reinforced with the delivery of necessary reagents to regional laboratories to speed up sample confirmation.
To contain further spread, a National Rapid Response Team has been dispatched to the Upper West Region. District hospitals have also established designated isolation areas to safely manage suspected and confirmed cases.
Addressing journalists and members of the public, Mr Akandoh urged calm and called for responsible reporting as control measures take effect.
“We don’t have to press the panic buttons. So the media, please, let’s handle it well; there are a lot of things that have been deployed,” he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
