Ghana Health Service announces dengue fever outbreak, nine cases confirmed so far

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says the outbreak of clinical malaria, known as Dengue Fever has been recorded in the Eastern Region.

In a statement signed by the Director-General of GHS, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, a total of nine cases have been confirmed after samples were sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR).

“The national surveillance system detected unusual cases of clinical malaria in some districts of the Eastern Region. These cases were not responding to antimalarial treatment and were therefore managed as acute febrile illness and samples sent to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR). A total of nine of such cases have been confirmed as Dengue Fever," part of the release read.

“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. This is to enhance surveillance on Dengue Fever and all clinical malaria cases need to have laboratory confirmation. Cases meeting the case definition of Dengue Fever are to have blood samples taken and transported to NMIMR for confirmation,” it added.