Fear has gripped parts of Ghana's Upper West Region following the confirmation of yellow fever after reported mysterious deaths. The Sissala East Municipal Health Directorate confirmed the disease last Wednesday, after investigating alleged mysterious deaths of about 21 Fulbe persons in the municipality. The Municipal Director of Health Services, Mr. Clifford Vengkumwini, told a reporter that out of four blood samples sent to Accra for laboratory analysis, one tested positive for yellow fever.
According to Mr. Vengkumwini, the test result established yellow fever as the probable cause of the deaths, though additional investigations are ongoing. He disclosed that six additional samples have since been taken for testing to help determine whether the other cases are also linked to yellow fever or another cause. The Sissala East Municipal has recorded 30 cases among the Fulbe community, with Sissala West District recording 2 cases at Jeffisi and Wa Municipal recording 4 cases.
Wa West District has also recorded 3 cases at Nyoli, indicating that the disease may not be confined to only Sissala East. Mr. Vengkumwini explained that yellow fever is not transmitted directly from person to person, but through the bite of infected mosquitoes, making it less likely to spread through human contact. Health authorities have begun a reactive response, including training clinicians to identify and manage suspected cases.
The Fulbe Chief in Tumu in the Sissala East, Mr. Amidu Tiina, had reported receiving distress calls about over 30 sudden deaths in Fulbe communities, prompting engagement with stakeholders and health authorities. Mr. Tiina's report corroborated the information gathered by The Ghanaian Chronicle, which indicated that the mysterious deaths had been reported in the area.
The Municipal Health Directorate has urged residents to remain calm, report to health facilities when unwell, and rely on verified information from health authorities as investigations continue. Health authorities in Accra will determine whether vaccination should be carried out across the affected areas or targeted at specific groups. The directorate is working to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease.
According to Mr. Vengkumwini, the situation is being closely monitored, and measures are being put in place to prevent the spread of the disease. The health authorities are working to identify the source of the outbreak and to prevent further cases. The public is being sensitized on the symptoms of yellow fever and the need to report to health facilities when unwell.
The confirmation of yellow fever in the Upper West Region has raised concerns about the potential for a major outbreak. The Ghanaian Chronicle will continue to provide updates on the situation as more information becomes available. The health authorities are urging residents to be vigilant and to report any suspected cases to the health facilities.
Key points
- 30 deaths reported in Sissala East Municipal due to yellow fever
- Yellow fever confirmed in Upper West Region, Ghana
- Health authorities begin reactive response to contain outbreak
