Dr Kuma Aboagye
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has officially declared an outbreak of Dengue fever in the Eastern region, confirming a total of nine cases thus far.
The announcement was made through a statement signed by Dr. Patrick Kumah-Aboagye, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, following the detection of unusual cases of malaria-like illness in select districts within the Eastern Region.
Initially presenting as acute febrile illness and not responding to standard antimalarial treatments, samples from affected patients were sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) for testing. Subsequent laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of Dengue fever in the identified cases which are currently being managed as non-severe instances from patients’ homes.
In response to this concerning development, a collaborative team comprising Entomologists and Epidemiologists from the national level has augmented the regional effort to conduct a thorough outbreak investigation.
Public health experts are working diligently to establish the scope and scale of the current Dengue situation in the Eastern Region.
About Dengue Fever Disease
Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. While many individuals infected with Dengue may remain asymptomatic, those who do exhibit symptoms commonly experience high fever, headaches, body aches, nausea, and rash. Around 1-2 weeks post-infection, most patients recover, but severe cases can lead to complications such as bleeding that necessitate hospitalization. In rare cases, severe Dengue can be fatal.
Preparedness Measures and Actions Undertaken
To combat the spread of Dengue fever and mitigate its impact on public health, the Ghana Health Service has instituted a series of proactive measures:
– A National Emergency Operation Centre meeting has been convened to strategize response efforts.
– Alerts have been issued across all Regions and Districts to bolster surveillance for early detection and heighten awareness among health personnel and the general population.
– Enhanced surveillance activities have been initiated to promptly identify and address potential Dengue cases.
– Ongoing public education campaigns aim to inform communities about Dengue symptoms, prevention strategies, and treatment options.
Treatment and Prevention Strategies
Given the absence of specific medication for Dengue, treatment primarily revolves around supportive care, emphasizing hydration, rest, pain relief, and symptomatic relief. Individuals are advised to follow key preventive measures, including:
– Wearing long-sleeved clothing to minimize mosquito exposure.
– Using mosquito repellents and insecticide-treated nets.
– Eliminating stagnant water sources where mosquitoes breed.
– Maintaining hygiene and cleanliness at home to reduce mosquito habitats.
Shunning self-medication, the public is urged to cooperate with healthcare authorities and their partners to contain the Dengue outbreak efficiently and minimize its repercussions on the affected region.
By Vincent Kubi