On August 19, 2025, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) hosted an institutional seminar examining Ghana’s experience with major viral outbreaks over the past four years and the role of scientific research in shaping national responses. The presentation, delivered by Dr. Ivy Asante, a Research Fellow at NMIMR’s Virology Department, provided a detailed account of the country’s
encounters with Yellow Fever, Marburg Virus Disease, Lassa Fever, Mpox, and Dengue Fever between 2021 and 2025. Dr. Asante reported that the 2021 Yellow Fever outbreak resulted in 70 confirmed cases and a fatality rate of 17 percent. The following year, Ghana recorded an outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease that claimed two lives, with genetic sequencing linking the virus to the 2021 Guinea strain. Mpox emerged as a recurring challenge, with outbreaks in 2022, 2023, and 2025 revealing the circulation of multiple viral lineages. In 2023, Lassa Fever was detected in the Greater Accra and Central Regions, leading to 28 confirmed cases and one death. Dengue Fever cases identified between 2022 and 2024 showed the presence of both DENV-1 and DENV-3 serotypes, indicating diverse viral activity within the country.
She explained that while these outbreaks placed considerable strain on Ghana’s health systems, they also created opportunities for scientific collaboration and innovation. Interventions such as enhanced surveillance, vector control measures, and improved case management helped reduce severe outcomes. However, she cautioned that persistent challenges—limited funding, shortages of diagnostic kits, and logistical constraints—slowed response efforts. “Outbreaks will continue to emerge, but through strong surveillance, timely diagnostics, and collaboration with partners, Ghana is better placed to respond effectively,” Dr. Asante stated.
The seminar featured an interactive question-and-answer session in which senior researchers and staff contributed perspectives on outbreak preparedness, shared experiences from the field, and discussed strategies for improving response capacity. This exchange broadened the discussion beyond individual disease events to consider systemic readiness and the importance of sustained institutional engagement.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Asante stressed the need for vigilance and cooperative action in tackling emerging infectious diseases. “Sustained collaboration, investment, and preparedness are key if Ghana is to effectively respond to future outbreaks,” she said, highlighting the central role of research in informing public health interventions.
The event also reflected NMIMR’s ongoing partnerships with the Ghana Health Service, the Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization, which have been instrumental in strengthening outbreak preparedness. As part of NMIMR’s Institutional Seminar Series, the session provided a platform for scientists to share findings, stimulate dialogue, and contribute to national strategies for managing health threats.
By reviewing the trajectory of recent outbreaks and the lessons learned, the seminar reinforced the importance of combining scientific expertise, policy coordination, and resource mobilisation to protect public health in the face of evolving infectious disease risks.
