Confirmed H1N1 flu cases rise to 16 in Central Region

Cape Coast, April 5, GNA - Sixteen people have been confirmed as contracting the H1N1 Flu in the Central Region with the lasted four more people at Ayipey in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa (AOB) district of the Central Region as at Sunday.

Dr. John Eleeza, Deputy Director in charge of Public Health who disclosed this at a media briefing on the update of the outbreak of the disease in the region at Mfantsipim School on Monday, said 10 of the cases are from Mfantsipim and the rest from Ayipey. He said so far 40 who have been into contact with infected people and are suspected to have contracted the virus have been put on medication at Ayipey, while as at Sunday 193 students from Mfantsipim had been screened with 20 suspected cases receiving treatment. In all a total of 83 students were given treatment at the Mfantsipim School over the weekend.

Dr Eleeza explained that all the cases in the AOB district are from the Ayipey Primary and Junior High school, which has been closed down to check further spread.

He gave the assurance that the whole region was on high alert and that the response team was working around the clock to stem further outbreak of the disease both in Mfantsipim School and at Ayipey. Dr Eleeza urged the public not to panic, but report any flu-like symptoms to a health facility near them for urgent treatment, explaining that the flu is a viral disease that could be effectively managed by his outfit.

Dr Joseph Nuertey, the Cape Coast Metro Health Director said even though the situation is under control, an ambulance is on standby to transfer serious cases and that health personnel were working to ensure that it was controlled further.

Meanwhile authorities at the Mfantsipim School had insisted that it was not advisable to close down the school because the consequences could be disastrous.

The Headmaster, Mr Mieza Edjah noted that it was not advisable to send the students home because it will give the problem an "uncontrolled dimension" as those who have contracted the virus maybe in the incubation stage and could go home and infect their relatives. He said a medical team has been dispatched to the school and screening was on-going to ensure treatment for all infected students, and appealed to parents to cooperate with the authorities and assured them that they will soon go home.