Renowned Clinical Epidemiologist Prof. Fred Binka has expressed concerns about the spread of dengue fever to Ghana’s Central Region.
The first few cases of the fever were recorded in the Eastern Region last weekend, prompting the Ghana Health Service to raise alarm about its prevention.
The emergence of dengue fever in the Central Region marks a critical point which underscores the necessity for a more robust surveillance approach.
But reacting to the situation in an interview on 3FM’s Hot edition, Prof Binka emphasized the inadequacy of the current surveillance system in effectively managing the situation.
He stressed the importance of effectively assessing mosquito density in the affected area to disrupt their transmission patterns.
Initially mistaken for fatigue and malaria, the outbreak in the Eastern Region has evolved into a significant health crisis. The Aedes mosquito-borne disease has already afflicted eleven individuals across five districts, with an additional 57 samples awaiting confirmation at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
Survivors of the disease in the Eastern Region recount the arduous path to recovery, enduring extensive treatment at Brenase Polyclinic to combat the debilitating effects of dengue fever.
The escalating presence of Aedes mosquitoes poses a severe threat to farmers in the affected agricultural districts, potentially jeopardizing long-term food security.
As the outbreak spreads to other regions, Prof. Binka advocates proactive measures by health authorities to stay ahead of the disease.
