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Health News of Monday, 6 June 2016

Source: 3news.com

Yellow fever cases: GHS says no cause for alarm

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The Ghana Health Service [GHS] says there is no need for panic over the confirmation of four cases of yellow fever in the Brong Ahafo and Volta regions.

Head of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Badu Sarkodie, noted initial assessment indicates the risk of mass transmission is very low, assuring that the fact that no death has been recorded shows the situation is under control.

Four cases of yellow fever have been confirmed in the country. Three cases were reported in the Jaman South District of the Brong Ahafo Region and one case in the Central Tongu of the Volta Region. No death has been recorded.

Dr. Sarkodie said the GHS had enhanced surveillance at the districts through to regional and national levels as part of measures to prevent the disease from spreading, and also for early detection and treatment.

“The death rate for yellow fever is as high as 50 percent if not well handled, thus, the need for us to train our staff to manage the case adequately and avert death,” he told TV3

He thus urging the public to get vaccinated against yellow fever, noting the vaccine is free of charge, adding “the vaccination when taken once by injection, protects the individual for a lifetime.”