The Ministry of Health has begun vaccination for Yellow Fever in some selected communities in the Northern Region.

This follows recent outbreak of the disease in the Gonja West District of the region which led to the death of three people.

Twelve other people who reported at the hospital with the disease are being treated.

Joy News’ Matilda Wemegah reports that the Regional Director of Health Service, Dr Jacob Yakubu Mahama says the outbreak is currently under control.

The Deputy Minister of Health, Victor Bampoe, together with the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Appiah Denkyira and the Director of Public Health, Dr Badu Sarkordie are also in Northern Region assessing the situation to strategize and find quick solutions.

The team will further proceed to the Brong Ahafo region to observe ongoing health care development on the meningitis outbreak.

Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The "yellow" in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), up to 50% of severely affected persons will die of the disease if they are not treated.

There are an estimated 200,000 cases of yellow fever, causing 30,000 deaths worldwide each year. About 90 percent of the disease is reported to occur in Africa.

There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. Treatment is symptomatic, specifically aimed at reducing the symptoms for the comfort of the patient.