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Following the confirmation of two Lassa Fever cases in Ghana, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said prevention relies on promoting community hygiene to discourage rodents from entering our homes.
The GHS said effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households and keeping cats.
“Let us also avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons. The Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with our partners, wishes to assure the general public that all efforts are being made to contain this outbreak and prevent the further spread of the virus,” a statement issued by the Director General of the GHS Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye said on Sunday February 26.
The GHS said it received notification of two confirmed Lassa fever cases from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research on 24th February 2023.
Both cases reside in Accra, the Ghana Health Service revealed .
The first case, according to the statement, was a 40-year-old trader, who was unwell for a period of about two weeks and finally died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
The second case, who is a contact of the fatal case, is currently on admission but is very stable. So far, 56 contacts have been identified and are being followed up.
Lassa fever (a viral hemorrhagic fever) is endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. Ghana recorded its first case in 2011, the GHS said.
Following the notification, the underlisted public health measures have been undertaken.
Public Health Emergency Management committees at all levels (National, Regions and Districts) have been activated. Detailed investigation including environmental assessment has started. Essential medications and logistics including Personal Protecting Equipment (PPE) are being mobilized. Contact tracing and management are on-going.
Quarantine of contacts has been instituted and daily follow up by health staff is ongoing.
Strict Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) with barrier nursing has been instituted.
Sensitization of health staff on Lassa fever has started. Community sensitization and education on Lassa fever are ongoing.
By uniquenewsgh.com
