- GHS confirmed an outbreak of Dengue Fever in the Eastern Region
- The GHS issued an alert to healthcare providers
- Health authorities are taking steps to contain the spread of the mosquito-borne disease
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reported an outbreak of Dengue Fever in the Eastern Region, with nine cases confirmed so far.
According to a statement from Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of GHS, the outbreak was identified through the national surveillance system after cases of clinical malaria did not respond to standard treatment. Samples were sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), where nine cases were confirmed as Dengue Fever.
The GHS has issued an alert to all Regional Directors of Health Service and hospital CEOs to ensure that healthcare providers are aware of the outbreak. They emphasized the importance of enhanced surveillance and laboratory confirmation for all suspected cases of Dengue Fever.
“We request Regional Directors of Health Service and Chief Executive Officers of Teaching Hospitals to ensure this Alert on Dengue Fever is communicated to all health workers in the respective Regions, Districts, and Hospitals, including the Mission and Private Facilities,” the statement read.
The GHS directive also outlined protocols for identifying and managing suspected cases, stressing the need for blood samples to be taken and sent to NMIMR for confirmation if Dengue Fever is suspected.
This announcement comes as health authorities in Ghana intensify efforts to contain the spread of the mosquito-borne disease in the affected region.
