Ghana has recorded two confirmed cases of Lassa fever.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Abogye, on February 26, 2023, the first case was a 40-year-old trader who had been ill for a period of approx. Two weeks later and died at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
A second case in contact with the first case is currently on entry but is very stable.
Below is the statement
The Ghana Health Service has received notification of two confirmed Lassa fever cases from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research on 24 February 2023. Both cases are based in Accra. The first case was a 40-year-old trader who was ill for about two weeks and finally died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. A second case linked to the fatal case is currently on file but is very stable. To date, 56 contacts have been identified and are being followed up.
Lassa fever (viral hemorrhagic fever) is endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Ghana recorded its first case in 2011.
- Following the notification, the following public health measures have been taken.
- Activated Public Health Emergency Management Committees at all levels (national, regions and districts).
- A detailed investigation, including an environmental assessment, has begun.
- Necessary medicines and logistics including personal protective equipment (PPE) are being mobilized.
- Contact tracing and handling is ongoing.
- Quarantine of contacts has been established and daily follow-up by health personnel is ongoing.
- A strict Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) along with preventive nursing is instituted
- Sensitization of health workers on Lassa fever has started.
- Community sensitization and education on Lassa fever is ongoing.
Briefly about Lassa fever
• Lassa fever is caused by Lassa virus and the incubation period is 2-21 days.
• The virus is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with the urine or feces of rodents (mice, rats).
• Lassa virus can be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, feces or other bodily fluids of an infected person. Sexual transmission of Lassa virus has been reported.
Symptoms of Lassa fever
Early symptoms of Lassa fever may include fever and general weakness.
Individuals may then present with headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, and abdominal pain.
In severe cases, bleeding may occur from the mouth, nose, vagina or stomach. Death usually occurs within 14 days in fatal cases.
Treatment and prevention
There is medication (antiviral) for treatment and is more effective if taken early. There is currently no vaccine that protects against Lassa fever.
Prevention and control
Prevention depends on promoting community hygiene to prevent rodents from entering our homes. Effective measures include storing grain and other food items in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage away from the house, keeping the house clean and keeping cats away.
Also avoid contact with blood and body fluids when caring for sick individuals.
The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with our partners, would like to assure the public that all efforts are being made to contain this outbreak and prevent further spread of the virus.
signature
Dr Patrick Kuma-assisted
Director General
Source: Peacefmonline.com
| Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility, legal or otherwise, for the accuracy of their content. Please report any inappropriate content to us and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Featured video
