The Ghana Health Services (GHS) has confirmed two cases of lassa fever in Ghana, killing one and leaving one under treatment.
The announcement was made in a press release on Sunday, February 26, 2023.
According to the GHS, “notification of two confirmed Lassa fever cases from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research on February 24, 2023.”
The release said, a 40-years-old trader in Accra passed away at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, after a two week illness.
Lassa fever being a viral disease, contact tracing has identified some 56 persons who are associated to the victims.
“So far, 56 contacts have been identified and are being followed up,” the statement signed by the Director General of the GHS, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye said.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever and public health disease commonly found in West African countries, including Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Mali.
As part of quick response measures, the GHS has activated its Public Health Emergency Committees at all levels; national, regional and district.
While community sensitization and education is expected to be ongoing at all levels, the GHS is assuring that mobilization of essential medications and logistics including Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) are ongoing.
According to health experts, the incubation period for the Lassa fever, which is caused by lassa virus is between 2 and 21 days.
Meanwhile, the disease could be contracted through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodents such as rat and mice or their urine and faeces.
It could also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, sexual transfusion and bodily fluids with infected persons.
Below is the full details of the GHS Press release
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