The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says it is putting measures in place to contain a possible outbreak of yellow fever in the Central Region. This follows reported cases of the disease in some parts of the North.
According to the GHS, it has intensified surveillance on all Nomades known to be the lead agents for the spread of the deadly disease in parts of the country.
The Regional Director of the GHS, Dr. Akosua Owusu-Sarpong disclosed this at the Regional Coordinating Council meeting in Cape Coast.
Last month, the Ghana Health Service notified the public about the outbreak of yellow fever in some districts in the Savannah Region, with eight deaths reported. The outbreak was confirmed after initial laboratory tests were conducted by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and the National Public Health Reference Laboratory. The outbreak of yellow fever, initially detected in the Savanna Region, has now spread to Wa East District in the Upper West Region, claiming 25 lives. According to Dr. Akosua Owusu-Sarpong, Central Regional Health Director, nomades have proven difficult to be vaccinated due to their movements from place to place to find fresh pasture for their animals.
”All the District Directors have been tasked to track the nomades in their areas of jurisdiction for prompt vaccination to avoid an outbreak in the region”, she said.
Serving about three million people, with more than half being children, Dr. Owusu-Sarpong said, GHS is ready to bring quality health care services to all in the 22 operating districts with 34 hospitals and 13 Polyclinics aside numerous Community based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds.
On COVID-19, she said the region has recorded 4,862 cases since its outbreak with three active cases as of November 17, 2021. She said of the eligible 1,450,582 people, about 46,592 have been fully vaccinated in the region, adding that coverage for at least one dose is 17%.
She mentioned vaccine hesitancy as a huge concern.
