Fresh yellow fever outbreak claims 3 lives in West Gonja

At least three people have been killed in the latest outbreak of yellow fever in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region .

Twelve more people are said to be suffering from the disease in the area.

Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. It can kill up to 50 percent of victims if adequate treatment is not administered.

The Health Ministry has said in a statement that the public must be wary when travelling to the Northern Region district.

The ministry says the disease comes with fever, jaundice, muscle pain with prominent backache, and headache.

There may also be bleeding tendencies.
Symptoms appear after an incubation period of 3 to 6 days following the bite of the mosquito.

The Health Ministry has advised that people showing symptoms must report to the nearest health facility.

Public Relations Manager of the Health Ministry, Tony Goodman, efforts to contain the disease are on course.

“We have officers there [West Gonja] trying to do public education. We are also making sure that the needed resources are supplied,” he said.

Meanwhile, a meningitis outbreak in the Tain district of the Brong Ahafo Region has also so far killed nine people with 30 cases reported.

According to Mr. Goodman the disease in the Tain district is also under control.

“For about two weeks now for the meningitis we have not recorded any new cases,” Mr Goodman said.