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A total of eight cases of the pandemic influenza H1N1 (swine flu) have been confirmed in the country, according to an update of the pandemic issued by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Friday. It said the first seven cases had been “well managed and discharged”, adding that “the last case is under treatment and doing well”. The GHS said the contacts of the last case were also closely being monitored and that they were cooperating with health staff. It said a total of 82 specimens, comprising 56 suspected cases and 26 contacts, had so far been investigated at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. The health authorities say the pandemic is still in its early stages of evolution and needs to be monitored closely, while the general public and all stakeholders are being urged to support in the management of the situation.

The Health Service of Ghana (GHS) announced Friday the epidemic outbreak of influenza A in a private school in Accra, saying that 16 cases have already been confirmed among students.


In a statement issued in Accra on GHS indicates that the total number of confirmed cases in the country now stands at 38, saying that all confirmed cases were treated and did not represent a threat to public health.

The GHS has announced that all necessary measures were taken to interrupt the transmission cycle to school and school activities were suspended for 10 days.

The statement stressed that the GHS has also received maximum cooperation from school authorities to control the epidemic and that he continued to work with them.

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA - The Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Monday confirmed two additional cases of H1N1 influenza, increasing the cases to 40, Dr Joseph Amankwah Director of Public Health of the Ministry of Health said in Accra.

Western Region has recorded four cases, Ashanti Region two cases at an educational institution and Greater Accra Region recording 34 cases out of which 18 were recorded at a school.

No deaths have been recorded so far.

Confirmed H1N1 cases now 53

Accra, Dec. 3, GNA - Confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 in Ghana as at Tuesday, December 1, stood at 53, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) announced on Thursday.

It said in a statement signed by Rebecca Ackwonu, Public Relations Officer of GHS that "the total number confirmed as positive for influenza H1N1 2009 virus stands at 53 cases." No death has been recorded.
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Authorities of Merton International School have closed down the school temporarily after it was detected that five children had become infected with the H1N1 strain or swine flu.

Joy News sources at the school say parents were given letters indicating that the school authorities had decided to shut down the school to contain the situation and prevent further infections.

Parents were informed about the situation last Friday.

This latest outbreak of the H1N1 strain comes on the heels of another Accra based school where some students were found to be exhibiting symptoms of the disease.

The disease appears not to be completely wiped out although very little is heard about it in recent times.

Health officials however say the situation is being carefully managed.

Tema records 39 Swine Flu cases

March 24,GNA - A total of 39 HINI cases, a respiratory disease popularly known as Swine Flu, were recorded by the Tema Health Directorate as at Sunday.

Out of the 134 phlegm specimen sent by the Directorate to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for test, 95 tested negative, while the 39 returned positive.

Dr. Mrs. Ernestina Mensah-Quainoo, Tema Metropolitan Health Director, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said those affected were children from six schools in the Metropolis. She said the schools were located at Tema Manhean, Tema Communities Six, Eight and 11, as well as Sakumono.

The Metro Health Director indicated that anti virals, Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which is one of the effective medicines for the disease had been administered to the affected children and those who they share physical contact with.

She assured parents and residents not to panic, as the Directorate had in stock enough Tamiflu to control the disease in the Metropolis. Dr. Mrs. Mensah-Quainoo noted that to collectively find control measures on the outbreak, her outfit organized a stakeholders' meeting on Tuesday.

The Health Director said, the stakeholders included representatives from the Metropolitan Education Directorate, various Security Agencies, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), and the Kpone and Tema Traditional Councils.

She pleaded with residents, school children and teachers, to desist from stigmatizing affected people and their relatives but rather encourage people with the symptoms to seek for early medical care from any of the public health institutions in the Metropolis.

Dr. Mrs. Mensa-Quainoo also entreated the public to regularly wash their hands with soap and water, or rub their hands with alcohol when available, in order to avoid contracting the disease. HINI is a disease caused by a virus, and affects the respiratory system. Its symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and headaches.The other symptoms are chills, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhoea.