Ghana records 12 more cases of Lassa fever

The Ghana Health Service(GHS) has announced 12 more cases of Lassa fever in the country following an initial two reported on February 26.

The report bring to a total, 14 cases of the acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses.

A statement from the service sighted by GhanaPlus.com, said the 12, were detected through contact tracing and testing.

One person has sadly been reported dead from the Lassa fever.

“All 13 cases are alive and in stable condition and are being managed in designated health facilities,” the statement said.

The statement added “A total of 97 contact have been identified and efforts are underway to identify more contacts”.

The Ghana Health Service said a probably case has been reported from the Central Region of the country and contacts are being identified and monitored while, its await confirmation or other wise report.

The Service is consequently advising the Ghanaian public to avoid contact with rodent, ie mice, rat, etc. blood and body fluid while caring for the sick, ensure good environmental hygiene practices among others.

It also urged the public to report to the hospital when unwell.

Lassa fever

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines Lassa fever as an animal-borne, or zoonotic, acute viral illness spread by the common African rat.

The illness is said to be very common in parts of West Africa, including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea.

Spread through urine and fecal droplet of rodent such us mice, rat etc., the illness was first documented in 1969 in Nigeria’s town of Lassa, in Borno State and subsequently named after same.

Lassa fever symptoms include general weakness, malaise, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, and abdominal pain may follow.

In severe cases, “hemorrhaging or bleed in gums, eyes, or nose, respiratory distress, repeated vomiting, facial swelling, pain in the chest, back, and abdomen, and shock may occur.

Neurological problems have also been described, including permanent hearing loss, tremors, and encephalitis”. CDC report said.

“Death may occur within two weeks after symptom onset due to multi-organ failure”, it added.

About 80 percent of cases  of Lassa fever is however, asymptomatic and are undiagnosed.

Source: GhanaPlus.com