Ghana Health Service Declares Dengue Fever Outbreak in Eastern Region
Dengue Fever Outbreak in Ghana 2024
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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed an outbreak of Dengue Fever with nine cases reported in the Eastern Region. This health alert follows similar outbreaks in neighbouring countries, increasing the urgency for preventive measures and public awareness.
Caring for Someone with Dengue
People with Dengue Fever can often be cared for at home. Here are essential steps for effective home care:
Ensure ample rest: Patients should get plenty of rest.
Hydration: Give them plenty of water to drink.
Protection from mosquitoes: Have them sleep under a mosquito net and apply mosquito repellent.
Medication: Paracetamol can help manage fever and pain. Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen.
Monitor for severe symptoms: Learn the warning signs of severe Dengue and seek immediate medical attention if they appear.
Self-protection: Caregivers should use repellent and wear light, long-sleeved clothes.
Warning Signs of Severe Dengue
Be vigilant for the following warning signs:
Abdominal pain or tenderness
Persistent vomiting
Clinical fluid accumulation
Mucosal bleed
Lethargy or restlessness
Liver enlargement (>2 cm)
Increasing hematocrit concurrent with a rapid decrease in platelet count
Dengue Symptoms
Common symptoms of Dengue include:
Fever
Headache
Rash
Muscle and joint pain
Nausea and vomiting
More severe symptoms may appear after the fever subsides, such as bleeding or shock. Contact a healthcare provider immediately if these symptoms manifest.
Health Alert: Dengue Fever Outbreak
The Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service are closely monitoring Dengue Fever outbreaks in neighbouring Burkina Faso. In 2016, Burkina Faso reported 1,061 probable cases out of 1,266 suspected cases, with a cumulative total of 15 deaths (CFR 1.2%).
Key interventions in Burkina Faso include:
Field investigations
Enhanced surveillance
Case management
Infection prevention and control
Contact tracing and follow-up
Social mobilization/risk communication
The World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed a multidisciplinary team to support these efforts.
Dengue Fever: Information and Prevention
Forms of Dengue
Dengue Fever: Characterized by sudden onset of high-grade fever, severe headache, and pain behind the eyes, muscles, and joints.
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF): A more severe form that includes bleeding and sometimes shock, leading to death. This form is most serious in children.
Signs and Symptoms
Dengue Fever:
Sudden onset of high fever
Severe headache (mostly in the forehead)
Pain behind the eyes worsening with eye movement
Body aches and joint pains
Nausea or vomiting
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Shock:
Severe and continuous abdominal pain
Bleeding from the nose, mouth, gums, or skin bruising
Frequent vomiting with or without blood
Black stools (like coal tar)
Excessive thirst (dry mouth)
Pale, cold skin
Restlessness or sleepiness
Treatment
Treatment focuses on supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment:
Avoid aspirin, Brufen, and other NSAIDs as they increase bleeding tendency and stomach pain.
Paracetamol can be given on medical advice.
If severe symptoms appear, take the patient to the hospital immediately and give fluids during the transfer.
Preparedness Measures and Actions
Alerts sent to all regions and districts to enhance surveillance.
Public education on signs, symptoms, and prevention.
Entomological assessment indicating the presence of Aedes mosquitoes.
Mode of Spread
Dengue fever spreads through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. The virus is transmitted when mosquitoes bite infected persons. Symptoms appear about 5-7 days after the infected bite. It is essential to protect against all mosquito bites, as it is impossible to identify infected mosquitoes by sight.
Preventive Measures
To avoid and protect against mosquito bites:
Wear full-sleeve clothes and long dresses.
Use mosquito repellent, coils, and electric vapour mats.
Use insecticide-treated mosquito nets, especially for babies, the elderly, and those resting during the day.
Keep water containers covered and eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.
Malaria Prevention Efforts
Seasonal Malaria Chemotherapy (SMC)
Free distribution of malaria prophylactics to children aged 3 months to 59 months every year.
Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs)
Distributed to every household to prevent mosquito bites.
Malaria Vaccine: RTS,S (Mosquirix)
The first malaria vaccine approved for public use, administered in four doses starting at six months of age.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Health urges all Ghanaians to improve environmental conditions to prevent mosquito breeding and protect against mosquito bites. Public education and awareness are crucial in combating Dengue Fever. The media and health workers are called upon to support these efforts to ensure a high level of prevention and control measures.
Tags: #GHS #Dengue #Fever #ZeroMosquito #Mosquito #LLINs #MosquitoNets #SMC #Malaria #ZeroMalaria #Bukars
Source: GHS