Prestigious school in Accra closed down after H1N1 breakout

Sixteen cases have been so far been confirmed after samples were tested at the Nouguchi Research Center.

Officials of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) will soon begin investigations into how some students of the Lincoln Community School in Accra got infected with the deadly H1N1 or swine flu virus.

Sixteen cases have so far been been confirmed after samples were tested at the Nouguchi Research Center.

Following the detection, the Ghana Education Service (GES), in consultation with the GHS, has authorized the immediate closure of the school.

It is not clear how the students came into contact with the virus but sources at the school say most of the students started showing symptoms after participating in fun games the school organised recently.

Joy News visited the school on Friday but found the compound virtually deserted with only a few members of staff seen carrying out official duties.

School authorities were locked up in a meeting and would not speak on the matter. Students have been asked not to report until the next ten days, Joy News has learnt.

During the period, parents are being urged to report symptoms exhibited by their children to the hospital for immediate action.

Swine flu is a deadly respiratory disease caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1. The virus, which originates from pigs, was first detected in Mexico in April this year.

Ghana recorded its first case of the disease in August and so far health officials say 38 cases have been recorded between August and October, with no recorded death.

Story by Kwaku Obeng Adjei/Myjoyonline