The Ghana Health Service (GHS) said it has received notification of two confirmed Lassa fever cases from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research last Friday with both cases in Accra.
This was contained in a press release issued on Sunday alerting members of the public.
It stated that the first case was a 40years trader who was unwell for about two weeks and finally died at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
“The second case, who is a contact of the fatal case is currently on admission but very stable. So far, 56 contacts have been identified and are being followed up,” it added.
The statement said the GHS has taken public health measures such as; the activation of a Public Health Emergency Management committee at all levels (National, Regional and Districts), Detailed investigation including environmental assessment, Essential medications and logistics including personal protection equipment.
Other measures are: On -going contact tracing and management; quarantine of contacts and follow-up by health staff, strict infection prevention, sensitization of health staff on the disease and community sensitization as well as education on Lassa fever.
Lassa fever (a viral hemorrhagic fever) is endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia Mali, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Ghana recorded its first case in 2011.
Edem Agblevor, ISD
