GHANA CONFIRMS TWO LASSA FEVER CASES IN ACCRA

A press release dated 26th February, 2023, signed by the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, confirms two Lassa fever cases in the country.

Ghana recorded its initial case in 2011. Lassa virus incubates for 2-21 days before presenting with fever and general weakness progressing to headache, sore throat, cough, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, and abdominal pain. Severe cases may have bleeding from the nose, mouth, vagina or stomach. In fatal situations, death typically occurs within 14 days of commencement.

Humans contract the virus when they come into contact with food or household objects that have been exposed to rodent (Rats, Mice) urine or feces.

Moreover, the Lassa virus can spread between people when they touch the blood, urine, feces or other body fluids of a Lassa fever patient. There have been reports of Lassa virus via sexual transmission.

​The two Accra cases were confirmed by Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research on 24th February, 2023. The first, a 40-year old trader, passed on at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after being ill for about two weeks. The second, a contact of the first, is currently on admission and is reported to be stable. 56 contacts have been found thus far, and they are being monitored.

​The Ghana Health Service has activated Public Health Emergency Management committees at district, regional and national levels, initiated Strict Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), contact-tracing and quarantine on-going, commenced an investigation and environmental assessment. Sensitization of health staff and the community is also being done.

​All are urged to keep ad promote good sanitary and hygiene conditions with special attention to prevent rodent exposure to food. Again, contact with the blood and body fluids of sick persons is to be shun in caring for them.

 

BY: Worlako Biese-Macarthy

University of Health and Allied Health Sciences

MBCHB ‘27