MP urges Govt to take urgent steps to prevent the Spread of Outbreak Yellow Fever
The Member of Parliament for Daffiama/Bussie/Issa, Dr Sebastian Sandaare has called on the government and the Ghana Health Services to take urgent steps to prevent the spread of yellow fever that broke out in parts of the Savannah Region.
According to him, there is no treatment currently exists for the disease, prevention through vaccination and the use of personal protective measures are critical to lower disease risk and mortality.
Hon Sandaare made the call in a statement he delivered on the floor of parliament to draw the government and the GHS attention to the disease, which he noted could worsen the already Coronavirus pandemic if not prevented or reduce.
“Mr. Speaker, Yellow Fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease and classified under other viruses that cause Hemorrhage fever such as Ebola, Lassa, Marburg and Zika.
‘Yellow fever virus is endemic to Sub-Saharan and Tropical South America and is estimated to cause 200,00 disease cases and about 30,000 deaths annually.
‘The disease can result in jaundice and bleeding from body orifices such as nose, mouth, anus etc. and is fatal in 20-50% of persons with severe infection.
‘Because no treatment currently exists for the disease, prevention through vaccination and the use of personal protective measures critical to lower disease risk and mortality,” Dr Sandaare said.
Full Statement
TAKING URGENT PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION TO CONTROL SUSPECTED YELLOW FEVER OUTBREAK IN NORTHERN GHANA.
DR. SEBASTIAN NGMENENSO SANDAARE. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR DAFFIAMA/BUSSIE/ISSA CONSTITUENCY.
Thank you Mr. Speaker for giving me the opportunity to make this statement of public health concern.
Mr. Speaker, Ghana Health Service (GHS) has issued an alert on Yellow Fever following the death of about eight (8) people in the Savanna region of Northern Ghana.
According to the statement by GHS it ‘received interim laboratory results of an unusual disease from the Savanna region of the country that has led to the death of eight (8) people. The disease is presumed to be Yellow Fever and samples have been shipped for final confirmation.”
Mr. Speaker the statement further states that “the affected persons are nomads in selected communities in West and North Gonja of the region who have never been vaccinated against Yellow Fever’
Mr. Speaker, Yellow Fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease and classified under other viruses that cause Hemorrhage fever such as Ebola, Lassa, Marburg and Zika.
Yellow fever virus is endemic to Sub-Saharan and Tropical South America and is estimated to cause 200,00 disease cases and about 30,000 deaths annually.
The disease can result in jaundice and bleeding from body orifices such as nose, mouth, anus etc. and is fatal in 20-50% of persons with severe infection.
Because no treatment currently exists for the disease, prevention through vaccination and the use of personal protective measures critical to lower disease risk and mortality.
Mr. Speaker, this sad news about the disease is coming at a time the country and the world is fighting Covid19 pandemic. It is also around this season that the northern part of the country is expected to experience some cases of Meningitis.
Mr. Speaker, our health system has been overwhelmed by the Covid19 pandemic and will definitely not be in a good position to handle another deadly epidemic like Yellow Fever in addition.
The objective of this statement is therefore to call for urgent public health action to contain and limit the spread of Yellow Fever in the Savanna region.
Mr. Speaker, while I command the GHS, WHO, Centre for disease control and other teams of experts for quick action to move to the field for investigations and action. I would like to make the following recommendations;
- The public should prevent mosquito bites by the use of protective clothes that cover all parts of the body.
- The MOH should take necessary steps to ensure the availability of Yellow fever vaccines for the people.
- The Government should provide adequate financial resources and logistics to strengthen the surveillance system in the northern part of the country.
- There should be intense public education on Yellow Fever disease and its prevention led by the GHS.
Mr Speaker, In conclusion, the news of the outbreak of suspected Yellow Fever in the Savanna region is a serious threat to our health system and urgent by Government to control and limit its spread.
Thank you. Mr Speaker.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
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