Fumigation must begin immediately to contain suspected yellow fever – SEND Ghana
SEND Ghana Country Director Harriet Nuamah Agyemang has called for the immediate fumigation of communities affected by suspected yellow fever cases to prevent the situation from worsening.
The Country Director of SEND Ghana, Harriet Nuamah Agyemang, has urged for immediate fumigation in areas impacted by suspected yellow fever to curb the spread. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh reported around 450 suspected cases of yellow fever in Ghana between June and September 2026, including 74 in the Upper West Region.
Three of these 74 cases have been confirmed as yellow fever, after undergoing laboratory tests, according to the Minister. He emphasized that suspected cases need to be confirmed in a lab before attributing illnesses or deaths to the disease. Ms Agyemang expressed worry over the delay in fumigating affected communities, especially with residents still concerned about reported deaths and illnesses.
She stated that protracted delays could exacerbate the situation and escalate fears among residents. The likelihood of this worsening the scenario is high, she asserted. The Government has dispatched samples to Senegal for additional testing, and claims it cannot officially declare a yellow fever outbreak until confirmation is obtained.
Ms Agyemang also criticized bureaucratic procedures that delay the release of funds during health crises, urging the government to expedite resource mobilization when urgent actions are necessary. She suggested that during emergencies, bureaucracy should be minimized, enabling swift action.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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