The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association has raised the alarm over a surge in yellow fever cases across the country, confirming that approximately 450 suspected infections have been recorded between June and September 2026.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem, Philemon Gyapong, the Public Relations Officer for the GRNMA, revealed that the Upper West Region alone has accounted for 74 of these cases.
He noted that the association’s monitoring reports also point to suspected infections surfacing in parts of the Volta and Bono regions, describing the development as a critical public health concern that demands immediate national attention before the situation escalates further.
“We are dealing with a situation that requires our collective and swift intervention,” Mr. Gyapong stated, pointing out that preliminary reports indicate two or three fatalities may have already occurred in the northern sector of the country due to the disease.
While expressing concern over the spread, Mr. Gyapong sought to allay fears of a rapid, uncontrollable transmission similar to that of COVID-19.
He stressed that the viral infection does not spread at the same pace, leaving Ghana with a crucial window of opportunity to contain the outbreak if authorities and citizens act decisively.
“Yellow fever does not spread as rapidly as COVID-19, which means we still have the opportunity to contain the situation if swift action is taken by all stakeholders,” he added.
Highlighting the gravity of the infection, Mr. Gyapong underscored that there is currently no specific cure for yellow fever once contracted. Consequently, he strongly urged members of the public to prioritize preventive measures, specifically calling for widespread vaccination and rigorous protection against mosquito bites.
He further advised citizens to seek immediate medical attention at the earliest sign of any symptoms associated with the disease, warning that delayed reporting could prove fatal.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
