The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research has confirmed two positives out of four suspected dengue fever cases sent by the Oti Regional Health Directorate to the Institute.
A circular dubbed “Notification of the Outbreak of Dengue Fever in Oti Region,” dated August 9, 2024, and signed by Dr. David Sarpong Opong, the Acting Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, said the samples were taken during enhanced surveillance.
It said, “The enhanced surveillance instituted by the region on dengue fever has resulted in a total of four suspected cases since the alert, and samples were taken and sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) for testing.”
“Samples of two of the cases (both from the Kadjebi District), which were picked on July 29, 2024, have been confirmed positive for dengue fever.”
“The confirmed cases are a 24-year-old female and a 21-year-old male, and both of them are doing well,” the statement stated.
The statement called on all municipal and district health directors to enhance surveillance and improve risk communication efforts within their regions and health facilities. The goal is to ensure early detection and proper management of suspected cases, aiming to reduce illness and prevent deaths.
Mr. Eric Nana Takyi, the Kadjebi District Director of Health Services, confirmed the report in a conversation with the Ghana News Agency.
He urged residents to use treated mosquito nets, emphasizing that “dengue fever” is transmitted in the same manner as malaria, through mosquito bites, and that the symptoms are quite similar.
Nana Takyi also advised the public to avoid self-medication and to promptly seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, high body temperature, headache, and joint pains, to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment, thus preventing fatalities.
“Self-medication does not treat dengue fever, so residents should go to the hospital for treatment,” he said.
He urged the upkeep of a clean environment to stop mosquitoes from breeding.