The Bole District Health Directorate on Friday, 12th November, 2021, sensitized the Chiefs and Queen mothers of the Bole Traditional Area on Yellow fever which has so far claimed about 14 lives in the Savannah Region.
The District Health promotion Officer, Mr. Nketiah Anderson revealed that Yellow fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease which is caused and transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegupti mosquitoes and this is a common disease in sub-saharan Africa and when it comes to Ghana the disease is prevalent in northern Ghana.
He explained further that when a mosquito bites an infected person it becomes infected and therefore transmits the disease to another person by biting him/her and emphasized that there is no direct transmission from human to human.
“One can be infected when he is bitten by an infected aedes mosquito which carries the virus. This disease is called ‘yellow fever’ because in serious cases, the eyes turns yellow in colour known as ‘jaundice'”, he stated.
According to Mr. Anderson, one can protect himself by sleeping under a treated mosquito net and also by making sure that his surrounding is well weeded and the gutters distilled.
However, he noted that some of the signs and symptoms of yellow fever included fever, headache, nausea and vomiting and very serious cases may cause fatal heart, liver and kidney conditions and therefore implored the general public to report to the nearest health facility when they experience such symptoms.
Mr. Nketiah Anderson further disclosed that the district health directorate has far advanced plans to procure yellow fever vaccines and urged the public to disregard any misconception surrounding the covid-19 vaccination as well as that of yellow fever when vaccines are ready.
“Our hardworking health director is working tirelessly to ensure that we get the yellow fever vaccinest,he vaccines shall be for persons 6months and above and parents are entreated to come along with the weighing cards of their children below the age of 5. Individuals who took theirs some 10 years ago or more than five years are included. The vaccines are authenticated by the FDA but might come with some side effects and this is normal”, he added.
In an exclusive interview with Yagbon News, the District Health Director who also doubles as the queen mother of Ndape (Ndapewurche) of the Bole Traditional Area, Hajia Fuseina Sulemana reaffirmed that yellow fever has claimed 14 lives in the Savannah region alone.
“From our records, yellow fever has killed 14 people in the Savannah region. 8 people died in the west Gonja municipal, 2 people in Daboya and 2 others in the Bole district. Even as we speak in the bole district, we still have one infected person who currently under treatment”, she said.
As a health expect and a queen mother, Hajia Fuseina noted she is partnering with the bole traditional council to ensure that residents of the various communities within the district are well sensitized on the need to protect themselves against mosquito bites and also encouraged to take the yellow fever vaccination as at when the time is due.
She however advised all and sundry to take the covid-19 safety precautionary measures seriously and that the Bole District Health Directorate is still undertaking the covid-19 vaccination exercise and therefore encouraged each and everyone to take advantage of the exercise.
Source: yagbonradioonline/Issah Zakaria
