The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced an outbreak of clinical malaria, identified as Dengue Fever, in certain districts of the Eastern Region.
According to the GHS, nine cases have been confirmed following sample testing at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR).
A statement signed by Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of GHS, explained that these cases did not respond to antimalarial treatment and were managed as acute febrile illnesses instead.
“The national surveillance system detected unusual cases of clinical malaria in some districts of the Eastern Region. These cases were not responding to antimalarial treatment and were therefore managed as acute febrile illnesses, with samples sent to NMIMR. A total of nine such cases have been confirmed as Dengue Fever.”
A team of entomologists and epidemiologists from the national level has joined the regional team to conduct a detailed investigation into the outbreak.
The GHS has directed Regional Directors of Health Service and Chief Executive Officers of Teaching Hospitals to inform all health workers of this development.
Below is the full statement by GHS:
The national surveillance system detected unusual cases of clinical malaria in some districts of the Eastern Region. These cases were not responding to antimalarial treatment and were therefore managed as acute febrile illnesses, with samples sent to NMIMR. A total of nine such cases have been confirmed as Dengue Fever. Consequently, a team of entomologists and epidemiologists from the national level has joined the regional team to conduct a detailed outbreak investigation.
We request Regional Directors of Health Service and Chief Executive Officers of Teaching Hospitals to ensure that this Alert on Dengue Fever is communicated to all health workers in the respective regions, districts, and hospitals, including Mission and Private Facilities. This is to enhance surveillance on Dengue Fever, and all clinical malaria cases need to have laboratory confirmation. Cases meeting the case definition of Dengue Fever are to have blood samples taken and transported to NMIMR for confirmation.
The surveillance case definition for Dengue Fever is as follows:
Suspected case: Any person with acute febrile illness of 2-7 days duration with two or more of the following: headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, rash, haemorrhagic manifestations, or leukopenia.
Confirmed case: A suspected case with laboratory confirmation (positive IgM antibody, four-fold or greater rise in IgG antibody titres, positive PCR, or viral isolation).
In severe forms of the disease, such as Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome, the following criteria apply:
Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever: A probable or confirmed case of dengue with bleeding tendencies as evidenced by one or more of the following: positive tourniquet test; petechiae, ecchymoses or purpura; bleeding: mucosa, gastrointestinal tract, injection sites.
Dengue Shock Syndrome: All the above criteria, plus evidence of circulatory failure manifested by rapid and weak pulse, narrow pulse pressure (≤ 20 mm Hg), or hypotension for age, cold, clammy skin, and altered mental status.
We further request Regional Directors of Health Service to initiate processes to create public awareness about Dengue Fever, including the following measures:
– Avoiding mosquito bites by sleeping under mosquito nets and wearing appropriate clothing.
– Destroying mosquito breeding sites by eliminating standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
– Proper waste management around homes to reduce potential breeding grounds.
Thank you.
Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye
Director General
Cc:
Hon. Minister of Health
Hon. Deputy Ministers of Health
Chief Director