12 Additional Cases of Lassa Fever Confirmed After Contact-Tracing – GHS

The Ghana Health Service has confirmed 12 additional cases of Lassa fever in the country.

This brings to 14 the total number of confirmed cases for this outbreak. One death has so far been recorded.

A statement from the service said the 12 additional cases were discovered following the contact tracing testing of the initial two cases reported in Accra on February 26.

According to the service, all 13 persons are alive and in stable condition and are being managed in designated health facilities.

A total of 97 contacts have since been identified and efforts are underway to identify more contacts.

Meanwhile, the health service said, “a probable case has been reported from Central Region and contacts are being identified and monitored while we await confirmation”.

Psychological support is being provided for all cases and contacts.

The GHS took the opportunity to remind the public to follow preventive measures in order to avoid falling victim to the virus.

These include:

1. Avoid contact with rodents (mice, rats, etc).

2. Ensure good environmental hygiene and institute measures such as storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, and maintaining clean households, all with the view to preventing rodent infestation.

3. Avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons.

Below is the press release confirming the new cases