20 February 2024 Dengue risk in Ghana

February 20, 2024

It is clear that all countries surrounding Ghana have experienced epidemics of key arboviruses of medical importance, such as the recent dengue epidemic in Burkina Faso. Thus, Ghana is considered a region ripe for arbovirus epidemics, mainly dengue.

There is currently no evidence of outbreaks dengue (DENV) in Ghana. However, there is high risk due to the proximity and high density of mosquito population Aedes in the country.

• 2005. The first suspected serological transmission of DENV was reported following the isolation of DENV-2 from Finnish travelers to Ghana in 2005. 1 PCR positive.
• 2011-2014. A cross-sectional study of 218 children in Greater Accra (Kpeshie), Brong Ahafo (Kintampo) and Upper East (Nawrongo) found 3.2% IgM and 21.6% IgG positive.
• 2014-2016. A cross-sectional study of 150 patients in Greater Accra, Central and Upper East revealed 32 IgM-positive patients and 4 PCR-positive patients.
• 2016-2017. A cross-sectional study of 700 children in Greater Accra and Brong Ahafo found 2 positive PCR results.
• 2019. Serological detection of DENV was reported in a study of adults attending a mid-level hospital in the Central Region. Although serological studies do not confirm the detection of the virus, positive diagnoses in two children and four adults suggest possible local transmission in Ghana.

It is important to note that the number of people infected with DENV and the risk of infection are unclear, especially because dengue symptoms can be confused with those of malaria.

Factors such as rapid globalization, the presence of mosquito vectors. AedesCase reports among travelers and seroprevalence studies point to West Africa as an emerging front for dengue surveillance and control.

In many African countries, febrile illnesses are mistaken for malaria. Thus, the effective use of health care depends on the correct diagnosis of febrile illnesses in the region.

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Local risks Ghana