On Monday 15th November 2021, the regional director of health Dr. Chris led a team to the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council on a mission to bring stakeholders up to speed on the presumptive outbreak of Yellow fever.
On the 29th of October 2021, the directorate issued a presser which hinted residents on the possible outbreak of Yellow fever. It was further stated in the pres release that samples of about Eight (8) people who died have been shipped for final confirmation.
Residents after the release have been in state of fear, but the health directorate has since been working closely with the RCC and other agencies to bring everything under control.
The Deputy Director for Public health, Mr. Michael Twum Biredu who made a presentation on behalf of the team stated that, in week 42 of 2021; three (3) suspected cases of VHF from the West Gonja Municipal Hospital were notified. Blood (serum) samples according to him were sent to NMIMR. Samples tested negative for VHF (Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, Dengue) but tested positive for Yellow fever.
Mr. Michael Twum added that about a hundred and four (104) suspected cases were recorded ( females 61, males 43) with age ranging from 8 months to 70 years. Twenty four (24) persons out of the 104 suspected cases were confirmed (female 15, male 9) and the death toll had risen to Sixteen (16) (female 8, male 8).
The deaths were recorded in Three (3) Districts. The Districts include West Gonja (10), North Gonja (5) and Bole (1).
The numbers currently on admission and recovering steadily are Twenty (20) (female 9, male 11) and six (6) of them are adults while Fourteen (14) are children. Mention must however be made that Three (3) of them are critically ill and the total number discharged at the West Gonja Municipal Hospital are Thirty four (34) Mr. Twum added.
Emergency mass vaccination exercise for persons from Six (6) months to Sixty (60) years in selected communities began on the 6th of November 2021 and also ongoing in all reported communities.
The team commended the regional minister and the regional Coordinating Council for the immense support. They also extended their gratitude to the Director General of Ghana Health Service for paying a working visit to assess the situation.
They acknowledged the technical assistance they received for outbreak investigation and response made of teams from GHS headquarters and partners WHO and CDC.
Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jebril, thanked the team for the swift measures they employed to bring the situation under control and as well calming residents. He assured them of the Regional Coordinating Councils readiness to help them address any challenge that might surface in their quest to ensure all residents who haven’t been vaccinated recieve their vaccination.
