Omanghana
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has cautioned health workers against publicly announcing suspected disease outbreaks without the necessary authorization and laboratory confirmation.
Dr. Akoriyea said premature announcements could cause unnecessary fear and anxiety among the public.
He explained that once unverified reports spread, it can be difficult to correct public perceptions, even when subsequent laboratory tests return negative results.
Call for Proper Communication
Dr. Akoriyea urged GHS personnel to follow established protocols and use approved channels when communicating information about potential public health threats.
He stressed that suspected outbreaks must be properly assessed and validated before they are publicly declared.
The caution came alongside an update on the yellow fever outbreak in the Upper West Region, which the GHS says has been curtailed after four laboratory-confirmed cases.
The Health Service continues to emphasize the importance of accurate and authorized communication in managing public health concerns.
Source: Omanghana
