The outbreak of clinical malaria, also referred to as dengue fever, has been reported by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in a few districts of the Eastern Region.
Samples were transferred to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), and the GHS reports that nine cases in all have been confirmed.
These cases were treated as acute febrile diseases since they did not respond to antimalarial treatment, according to a statement issued by GHS Director-General Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye.
“The national surveillance system detected unusual cases of clinical malaria in some districts of the Eastern Region. These cases were not responding to antimalarial treatment and were therefore managed as acute febrile illness and samples sent to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR). A total of nine of such cases have been confirmed as Dengue Fever.”
According to the GHS, a national team made up of epidemiologists and entomologists has joined the regional team to conduct a thorough investigation into the outbreak.
As a result, the Service has instructed Chief Executive Officers of Teaching Hospitals and Regional Directors of Health Services to advise all healthcare professionals of this information.
Below is the full statement by GHS
The national surveillance system detected unusual cases of clinical malaria in some districts of the Eastern Region. These cases were not responding to antimalarial treatment and were therefore managed as acute febrile illness and samples sent to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR). A total of nine of such cases have been confirmed as Dengue Fever. Following that a team from the national level made up of entomologists and epidemiologists have joined the regional team to undertake a detailed outbreak investigation.
We request Regional Directors of Health Service and Chief Executive Officers of Teaching Hospitals to ensure this Alert on Dengue Fever is communicated to all health workers in the respective Regions, Districts and Hospitals, including the Mission and Private Facilities. This is to enhance surveillance on Dengue Fever and all clinical malaria cases need to have laboratory confirmation. Cases meeting the case definition of Dengue Fever are to have blood samples taken and transported to NMIMR for confirmation.
The surveillance case definition for Dengue Fever is as follows:
Suspected case: Any person with acute febrile illness of 2-7 days duration with 2 or more of the following: headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, rash, haemorrhagic manifestations, leukopenia.
Confirmed case: A suspected case with laboratory confirmation (positive IgM antibody, four-fold or greater rise in IgG antibody titres, positive PCR or viral isolation).
In severe forms of the disease i.e. Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome, the following apply:
Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever: A probable or confirmed case of dengue with bleeding tendencies as evidenced by one or more of the following: positive tourniquet test; petechiae, ecchymoses or purpura; bleeding: mucosa, gastrointestinal tract, injection sites Dengue Shock Syndrome: All the above criteria, plus evidence of circulatory failure manifested by rapid and weak pulse, and narrow pulse pressure (≤ 20 mm Hg) or hypotension for age, cold, clammy skin and altered mental status.
We further request Regional Directors of Health Service to initiate process to create public awareness on Dengue Fever on the following: – Avoiding mosquito bites by sleeping under mosquito nets and wearing appropriate clothing. – Destroying mosquito breeding sites by eliminating standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs. – Proper waste management around homes to reduce potential breeding grounds.
Thank you.
DR PATRICK KUMA-ABOAGYE
DIRECTOR GENERAL
Cc:
Hon Minister of Health
Hon Deputy Ministers of Health
Chief Director