Ghana Records 9 Cases of Dengue Fever in the Eastern Region

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has issued a warning after GHS records 9 cases of Dengue virus DENV-1 causing Fever in the Eastern Region.

The announcement was made following the detection of unusual cases of clinical malaria that did not respond to antimalarial treatment, prompting further investigation. Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of the GHS, issued an alert instructing all Regional Directors of Health Service and Chief Executives of Teaching Hospitals to disseminate the alert to all health workers within their regions and facilities, including mission and private establishments. This directive aims to strengthen surveillance and ensure that all suspected malaria cases undergo laboratory confirmation.

Dengue Fever cases were confirmed at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) after samples were sent from patients exhibiting acute febrile illnesses. Subsequently, a team comprising entomologists and epidemiologists has joined the regional team to conduct a comprehensive outbreak investigation.

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Surveillance and Case Definitions

Health workers have been advised to stay alert and follow the specific criteria for identifying Dengue Fever cases after the report of GHS records 9 cases of Dengue virus. A suspected case is described as any person with a sudden fever lasting 2-7 days along with at least two of the following symptoms: headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle aches, joint pain, rash, bleeding, or low white blood cell count.

A confirmed case requires laboratory testing to confirm the presence of the virus. Severe cases are defined as:
– Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: A likely or confirmed dengue case with signs of bleeding, such as a positive tourniquet test, small red or purple spots on the skin, bleeding from the gums or nose, or bleeding in the digestive tract.

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– Dengue Shock Syndrome: A probable or confirmed case with evidence of circulatory failure, manifested by a rapid and weak pulse, narrow pulse pressure (≤ 20 mm Hg), hypotension for age, cold and clammy skin, and altered mental status.

Public Awareness and Preventive Measures

The Ghana Health Service has also called for immediate public awareness campaigns on Dengue Fever. Key preventive measures include:

Avoid mosquito bites by using mosquito nets and wearing appropriate clothing.

– Eliminating mosquito breeding sites by removing standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs.

– Proper waste management around homes to reduce potential mosquito breeding grounds.

Ghana Health Service (GHS) urges the public to remain vigilant and adhere to these preventive measures to curb the spread of Dengue Fever.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says effective vector control interventions are key to the prevention and control of dengue and vector control activities should target all areas where there is a risk of human-vector contact, such as residences, workplaces, schools and hospitals.

Globally, over 7.6 million dengue cases have been reported to WHO as of 30 April 2024. This comprised about  3.4 million confirmed cases, over 16 000 severe cases, and over 3000 deaths.

In Africa,  from 1 January to 28 April, 13 countries were known to have ongoing active transmission of the dengue virus .

In most countries like Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Niger, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, and the Seychelles, a total of 32 925 dengue cases  were recorded, 14,095 confirmed, 1051 severe cases and 57 deaths reported.

The WHO says a circulation of three of the four dengue serotypes of the dengue virus DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 has been identified in the WHO African region.

The current priority countries based on dengue burden are Burkina Faso, Mauritius, and Mali. The dengue virus cases recorded in Ghana are minors.