Suspected Yellow Fever kills 8 in Savannah Region, public warned of a possible outbreak
An alert has been issued by the Ghana Health Service over the emergence of a strange disease believed to be yellow fever in the Savannah Region.
Reports indicate that eight persons have already succumbed to the disease.
The Ghana Health Service explains that those affected by this disease are mainly nomads in the West and North Gonja district who have not yet been vaccinated against the disease.
“The Ghana Health Service has received interim laboratory results of an unusual disease from the Savannah Region of the country, that has led to the death of eight (8) people. The disease is presumed to be yellow fever and samples have been shipped for final confirmation. Tests for other Viral Haemorrhagic Fever like Ebola, Lassa, Marburg and Zika are all negative,” it said.
Some of the symptoms related to the disease they explained were fever, jaundice and bleeding from any of the body’s openings and could lead to death.
“The affected persons are nomads in selected communities in West and North Gonja of the Region who have never been vaccinated against yellow fever. A person with Yellow Fever may have fever and jaundice in the early stages and later on bleed from any of the body openings (e.g. nose, mouth, bloody stools, Vomiting Blood). ”
They are however calling on Ghanaians to get vaccinated against yellow fever which will give a lifelong immunity against the disease or prevent the bite of a mosquito, by wearing clothing that covers all parts of the body.
The public is also advised to report to a health facility immediately they notice the onset of symptoms.
As a means to control the disease, the Ghana Health Service has also indicated that a team of experts including those from the World Health Organization and the Centre for Disease Control are on their way to the region to further investigate the development and come up with appropriate recommendations for action.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
