Heightened surveillance is on high alert following reports of a number of cases of Hantavirus linked to a cruise ship that docked at Cape Verde recently.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is enhancing monitoring measures in all the country’s entry points after confirmation by health authorities of the presence of the Hantavirus in 5 passengers aboard the ship, with three deaths already recorded. Despite there being no report of a single case of Hantavirus in the country, the Ghana Health Service asserts that steps are in place to avoid any outbreak and detect any potential case early for immediate medical attention.
“We have activated our emergency response mechanisms in the entire country. We are making sure we are alert on our emergency system”, according to Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe.
“We are in the process of checking our diagnostic capacity, so if and when there are cases, that we get cases that we suspect that this might be an infection. We will attempt to take samples and get them to our labs”, he told the media.
“KCCR is now capacitated in addition to Noguchi so we do not have problem with it. And of course, we have identified various centers for management”. Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe continued that risk communication strategies will be enhanced. “In addition we have our special treatment centers that can manage cases. And as well, we are also working to be communicating with the populace on what it is they need to do to prevent from being infected”, he revealed.
Meanwhile, The GHS urged members of the public to be cautious and avoid panic as health officials monitor evolving developments across the country.
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