The Vice President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Professor Ernest Yorke, has called for urgent reforms in the certification of food vendors, warning that the immunological tests currently used by local assemblies are unreliable in detecting typhoid carriers.

Speaking at a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme on “Current Update in the Diagnosis and Management of Typhoid (Enteric) Fever” organised virtually by the Greater Accra Division of the GMA on Saturday, October 4, 2025, Professor Yorke said, “The current immunological tests that District, Municipal, and Metropolitan Assemblies use to certify food vendors are unreliable."

He continued, "They do not ensure that vendors who are chronic carriers of the bacteria do not contaminate food sold to the public. Stool examination to ascertain the presence of the bacteria is preferred and more reliable.”

Professor Ernest Yorke cautioned that many chronic carriers are asymptomatic and urged the Infectious Disease Society and other experts to prepare a position paper for engagement with the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and the Ministry of Local Government to push reforms.

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Other speakers at the CPD, including infectious disease specialists Dr Bismark Opoku Asare, Dr Isabella Afua Asamoah, and Dr Adjetey Oliver-Commey, highlighted the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention of typhoid fever.

They noted that blood culture remains the gold standard for diagnosis, while the commonly used Widal test is limited by cross-reactivity and background antibody levels in endemic populations.

The experts also raised concern about antimicrobial resistance, recommending azithromycin or third-generation cephalosporins for treatment while stressing the importance of hygiene, sanitation, and food safety in prevention.

Dr Oliver-Commey revealed that Ghana is preparing to introduce typhoid conjugate vaccines, starting with food vendors before a nationwide rollout.

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Professor Yorke reiterated that the GMA is committed to equipping health professionals with up-to-date knowledge to improve care and contribute to public health strategies aimed at reducing Ghana’s burden of typhoid fever.

Meanwhile, recent outbreaks in the Oti, Volta, and Eastern Regions underscore the urgency of tackling the disease, which thrives in areas with poor sanitation, limited access to safe water, and overcrowding.

JKB/EB