Ghana’s Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh disclosed during the health sector’s media engagement in Accra, the capital, on Wednesday that the country had recorded at least 450 cases of suspected yellow fever over the past four months.
“The suspected yellow fever cases were around 450 from June to September. Of these suspected cases, 74 were from the Upper West (Region), and three were confirmed,” Akandoh said.
According to the minister, the Ministry of Health has intensified surveillance and response measures, particularly in northern Ghana, with the National Rapid Response Team deployed to the Upper West Region, where confirmed cases have been recorded.
Moreover, the minister said laboratories have been equipped with the necessary reagents to support the detection and confirmation of suspected cases, and designated areas in district hospitals have been isolated to support the management of suspected and confirmed cases.
Akandoh urged the public to remain calm and support the response efforts by the health ministry, as adequate measures are in place to contain any emergency. There was no indication from the minister of any deaths from the confirmed cases yet.
According to the World Health Organization, Ghana recorded 202 suspected yellow fever cases in 2021, including 70 confirmed cases and 35 deaths. Enditem
