Public Agenda (Accra)
21 August 2009
All private and public health facilities have been directed to be ready to receive and manage all cases of Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 currently confirmed in Ghana.
They have been asked to put in place the necessary logistics and human resources for the management of cases.
Consequently, in all regions, holding rooms and isolation rooms have been identified and are ready to receive all suspected cases for management. The above measures form part of activities being carried out to manage the situation.
Ghana confirmed the first case of the influenza on August 6, 2009, when a young lady walked into a facility with mild symptoms of influenza. She had a cold from the brother who came from the United Kingdom, where a sister of the brother had been diagnosed as having been infected with PIH 2009 virus.
Pandemic Influenza H1N1 (PIH) 2009 is a disease that is caused by a virus that affects the respiratory system. Symptoms are fever, cough or sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea.
Complications of the disease include pneumonia and difficulty in breathing. Death may occur in persons who have other medical complications.
A statement from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in Accra said the pandemic is still in its early stages of evolution. "The course of evolution is also presently unpredictable. We therefore hereby request the general public and all stakeholders to support in the management of the situation".
It assured that the two confirmed cases have been managed very well and have been discharged without complications, and that samples of fifty suspected cases and contacts have been sent from the regions for investigations and all found to be negative, while collection and transporting of samples from suspected cases to Nouguchi for diagnosis is ongoing.
Again, surveillance for early detection of other cases and public education has been intensified.
"The School Health Education Programme (SHEP) coordinators are taking steps to sensitize school children and to facilitate the detection of any case of fever with cough or sore throat for immediate notification".
The statement outlines basic facts of the disease and its prevention;
How does Pandemic Influenza H1N12009 spread?
Influenza viruses are mainly spread from one person to another through droplets released during coughing or sneezing
Sometimes people may become infected by touching surfaces of holding objects contaminated with influenza viruses (e.g hands, door handles, handkerchiefs, tissue paper) and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes.
How is it managed?
There is no vaccine available at the moment; however, studies are being conducted to produce a vaccine
Antiviral (medicines for managing infection with a virus) can be used to treat the disease
Antiviral medicines work better if started soon after getting sick (within two days of appearance of symptoms)
If a person is in contact with or likely to be exposed to a sick person how can he avoid being infected?
Regular washing of hands with soap and water is strongly recommended
Hand rubbing with alcohol is also advised where available
Keep a distance of at least one step (one meter) from the infected person to avoid coming into contact with the influenza droplets ;
If contact with a sick person or with potentially infected surfaces of objects occurs, those involved must not touch their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands ;
Health care workers attending to sick persons should use face mask in accordance with guidelines provided by national health authorities
* It is advisable to be physically active, drink plenty of fluids, eat well, reduce stress and have enough sleep
* People should seek treatment immediately if infection is suspected, if symptoms occur or when advised by a health worker
What can infected individual do to prevent spreading pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 to others?
* Sick persons if not on admission should stay at home and limit contact with others as much as possible
* They should cover their mouth with a handkerchief or tissue when sneezing of coughing; tissue paper, handkerchief or other material used by the sick person for wiping his nose or mouth must not be used by others
* The infected person should wear a mask when in contact with others
* If there is no tissue paper or cloth, the sick person should cover his face with his arm before sneezing or coughing and not use his hands to contaminate surfaces or things that may be touched or held by others
* Hands should be washed regularly with soap and water
What should communities do to help prevent the spread of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009?
* Ensure community members know how to limit the spread of influenza, the symptoms of the disease and what to do if infection occurs
* Ensure provision of care for those infected
* Support social distancing, isolation or quarantine when requested by a health worker (or as determined by health authorities)
* Establish contact with the nearest health facility that will provide support in managing the disease
Report suspected cases and deaths to a health worker or other relevant authority.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 Public Agenda. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
