District Chief Executives (DCEs) of four assemblies in the Eastern Region have urged the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to address an outbreak of a new breed of mosquitoes that is causing illnesses in their districts.

The DCEs from Akyeamansa, Achiasi, Birim South, and Birim Central Districts reported that these mosquitoes, commonly found in cocoa farms, are large, black, and have whitish markings.

In separate interviews with The Ghanaian Times on Monday, they noted a rise in malaria cases at local health facilities, stressing the need for a lasting solution to prevent further loss of lives.

Achiase DCE Richmond Amponsah Agyabeng stated, "The situation has become a significant health threat in the region, with numerous health centres reporting cases related to these mosquito bites."

“Approximately, 300 people across the four districts have been hospitalised, though some, including himself, have since been treated and discharged," he said.

Mr. Agyabeng reported that a National Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound in the Achiase District had already recorded approximately 30 cases, underscoring the need for immediate intervention.

He noted that the issue began in his district about a month ago, with residents initially self-medicating until it became evident that the problem was more severe than initially thought.

Asare Danso, the DCE for Birim South District, confirmed numerous cases in his district and urged the GHS to find a lasting solution.

The same situation was reported in the other two districts.

Eastern Regional Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr. John Ekow Otoo, confirmed that his department had received official reports from the affected districts. In response, a team of health officials from both district and headquarters levels of the GHS has been dispatched to investigate the matter.

"The findings from this investi­gation will be communicated once the investigation is completed,” he said.

The mosquito invasion in these districts comes just two weeks after the Ghana Health Service (GHS) reported progress in reducing malaria cases and deaths.

At a recent malaria training program for journalists in Accra, the Director of Public Health of the GHS, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, highlighted that malaria-related deaths had significantly dropped from 2,799 in 2012 to 146 last year.

He noted that the testing rate had increased from 38 percent in 2012 to 98 percent in 2023, while prevalence had declined from 27 percent in 2011 to 8.6 percent in 2022. Additionally, deaths due to malaria have decreased considerably.

However, Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe emphasized that malaria remains a public health threat in the country, and the GHS is committed to achieving a zero mortality rate by 2028.