Swine flu cases continue to rise in Ghana
Accra, Sept. 3, Ghanadot/GNA – A total of
10 cases of influenza H1N1 (swine flu) have now been
confirmed in the country, according to an update of the
pandemic issued by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on
Thursday.
It said the first eight cases had been “well managed and
discharged”, adding that “the last two cases are under
treatment and doing well”.
The GHS said the contacts of the last two cases were
also being closely monitored, and that they were
cooperating with health staff.
“For almost all the episodes, persons in households
became infected indicating the need for high personal
hygiene and self isolation to help prevent/reduce
transmission.”
It said a total of 121 specimens, comprising 86
suspected cases and 35 contacts, had so far been
investigated at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for
Medical Research’s National Influenza Centre.
The pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 is caused by a virus
that affects the respiratory system and typically
spreads through coughs and sneezes or by touching
contaminated surfaces.
The disease, which may present itself like a common cold
with cough, sore throat, fever, catarrh, general
weakness, body ache and headache, and sometimes vomiting
or diarrhoea, may also lead to severe pneumonia with
difficulty in breathing, rapid breathing and chest pain.
Symptoms can last up to a week, and complications of the
disease include pneumonia and difficulty in breathing.
The disease is highly transmissible, with majority of
cases presented as mild diseases, especially in younger
people.
As measures to address the situation, the GHS has
dispatched 50,000 capsules of Tamiflu medication used to
treat influenza H1N1 to all regions to manage cases that
may occur.
In addition, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical
Research has ordered laboratory logistics worth GH¢40,000
to enhance laboratory test of identified specimens
suspected to be influenza H1N1.
Personal protective equipment such as a specially made
face mask N95 that could prevent transmission, gloves
and aprons have been dispatched to health personnel
throughout the country for use when handling suspected
influenza cases.
Regional and district hospitals have earmarked isolation
wards to receive cases, and these facilities have been
inspected by regional health directors.
GNA
