Swine Flu: 5 so far test positive (Front Page)

FIVE people have so far tested positive to the H1N1 influenza (swine flu) in Ghana, prompting officials of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to push their call for preventive measures higher.
While the first two patients have been treated and discharged, the latest patients, made up of three people in a family of four, are currently quarantined in their home and receiving treatment from health professionals.
Confirming this in Accra yesterday, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Elias K. Sory, noted that there was the need for intensive education on the issue.
Without disclosing the identities of the three patients, Dr Sory said a man, an expatriate, arrived in the country four days ago and allegedly transmitted the virus to the wife and one of their two children who were living in the country.
He commended the man, who he said had cold and suspecting that it could be the deadly H1N1 influenza, quickly reported to a health facility where series of tests confirmed the presence of the virus.
Dr Sory explained that the second child had so far not presented symptoms of the disease but was under surveillance.
The Health Director-General observed that all the swine flu cases the country had recorded seemed to have been transmitted from people who had spent time outside but added that there was the possibility of people getting it from others within.
He pointed out that although the disease was airborne, people could prevent contracting it if they became cautious, adding that “people should stay away from those who suffer from cold and also wash their hands with soap as often as possible”.
To those who suffer from symptoms of influenza (cold), Dr Sory said they would do society a lot of good if they covered their mouths while coughing or sneezing and also stay away from others, since one might not know whether it was swine flu or an ordinary cold.
He also advised that people presenting symptoms similar to that of cold should not treat it at home but visit health facilities for proper diagnosis and early treatment.
He gave the assurance that the H1N1 influenza could be treated when detected early.
He reiterated an earlier statement that the health authorities had been vigilant and, with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), had put in place measures to tackle the disease in the hospitals.
Swine flu is a deadly respiratory disease caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1.
The virus is spread from person to person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.
The symptoms of the novel H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus have also reported diarrhoea and vomiting.
The H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. One cannot get infected with HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products.
As there is no vaccine available right now to protect against the novel H1N1 virus, there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
One needs to take these everyday steps to protect his or her health:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; throw the tissue in the trash after you use it; wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze (alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective) and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Other precautionary measures are that one has to avoid close contact with sick people.