The Ministry of Health has begun moves to position itself to contain any possible outbreak of the Zika virus in the country.
The virus, which affects pregnant women leading to their babies being born with abnormally small heads, was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) few days ago.
Speaking to Citi News, Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Victor Bampoe said the Ghana Health Service is making adequate preparations in case of an outbreak.
[contextly_sidebar id=”yvfX8UTgPynGalNZb7qGq0wJqXy7dkZ0″]“The Director General of the Ghana Health Service is issuing a circular to all health workers. It is of concern to us because it is primarily spread by mosquitoes, not the ones that spread malaria but another type which we also have in Ghana and because it was discovered in Africa, the mode of transmission is here and we are potentially at risk.”
Dr Bampoe however cautioned the public not to panic but trust in the health institutions of the country to prevent any outbreak.
“I always talk about differentiating between alarm and concern because when you are alarmed sometimes you react out of proportion which creates a bigger problem- but when you are concerned” he continued “you take measures to deal with the issue. That is why we need to trust the institutions that have been set up to deal with it.”
The Zika virus which was discovered in Uganda in 1947 is caused by a type of mosquito called AEDES, an alarming and disturbing infection that may be linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains.
It is currently spreading through the Americas- Latin America and Caribbean countries.
A dozen cases have been recorded in the US with all of the patients believed to have been bitten by mosquitoes while abroad.
Doctors have described it as “a pandemic in progress” and some are even advising women in affected countries to delay getting pregnant.
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By: Farida Shaibu/citifmonline.com/Ghana