The Ghana Health Service (GHS) last month declared Ghana free of the Lassa fever outbreak recorded in the country. The Director of Public Health at the GHS, Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe told the GNA that the disease had been contained as no new cases had been reported over the past 28 days.
The GHS data has indicated that a total of 14 cases, with one death, was recorded during the outbreak which was declared on February 26, 2023.
Both cases, which were discovered in Accra, involved a 40-year-old trader, who was unwell for a period of two weeks and later died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The virus is transmitted to humans through food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of rodents like rats and mice. The Lassa virus may also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily fluids of a person infected with Lassa fever.
Sexual transmission of Lassa virus has been reported. Symptoms of Lassa fever may include fever and general weakness. Some also present other symptoms like headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, and abdominal pain.
The GHS has entreated the public to ensure good environmental hygiene and institute measures such as storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers.
”They should dispose of garbage far from home, maintain clean households and keep cats to prevent rodent infestation”, according to the GHS.
The public must also avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick people.