13 confirmed with Influenza H1N1 in Ghana

Accra, Sept. 18, GNA - The Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Friday said about 13 people have so far been confirmed positive with the Influenza H1N1 in Ghana but no death has been recorded. A statement issued in Accra on Friday by Ms. Rebecca Ackwonu, Public Relations Officer of the GHS said the first 12 cases have been well managed leading to the discharge of the patients while the last case is under treatment.

It said contacts of the last case were closely being monitored. A total of 166 specimens, made up of 126 suspected cases and 40 contacts have so far been investigated at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (National Influenza Centre).

The statement said for almost all the episodes, persons in the households became infected indicating the need for high personal hygiene and self isolation to help prevent and reduce transmission. It said sensitisation of school children on preventive measures need to be intensified.

The statement said on-going activities including weekly meetings of Technical Co-ordinating committees, intensification of public education through the mass media and intensification of surveillance for early detection of other cases by regions and districts. All health facilities, both public and private have been directed to be ready to receive and manage all cases.

Necessary logistics and human resources have been put in place for the management of cases whilst staff orientation is on-going. Holding rooms and isolation rooms have been identified in all regions and are ready to receive all suspected cases for management. Collection and transportation of samples from suspected cases to Noguchi for diagnosis is on-going, while anti-viral drugs for H1N1 and materials for collecting specimen from suspected patients have been distributed to all the regions.

The communication strategy has been activated and posters on influenza H1N1 distributed to all the regions for use, all Regional Health Directorates have been directed to work with media houses to secure free air-time to educate the public on the disease.

The School Health Education Programme Co-ordinators are taking steps to sensitise school children and to facilitate the detection of any case of fever with cough or sore throat for immediate notification. New guidelines on how to detect cases and prevent spread in schools and businesses have been developed for distribution. The GHS appealed to the public and all stakeholders to support in the management of the situation.