Lassa Fever Kills One At Tema

One person has been confirmed dead at the Tema General Hospital from Lassa fever.

Relatives and Health officials at the facility who came into contact with the deceased are being monitored.

The Ghana Health Service had issued an alert on the disease to all Regional Directors of Health Services and CEOs of Teaching Hospitals, urging the various health institutions to enhance surveillance for Lassa fever and Acute Haemorrhagic fevers in general.

The alert followed the outbreak of the fever in Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it is teaming up with national and international health agencies to tackle what has been noted to be the country’s biggest outbreak.

The latest figures show 1,081 suspected cases of the disease, including 90 deaths.

This number is more than the 305 cases reported all of last year in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, authorities of the Ghana Health Service have told Citi News they are currently in a meeting to find a solution to the outbreak.

File photo: Doctors attend to a Lassa fever patient in Nigeria

General information on Lass fever
Lassa fever is an Acute Viral Haemorrhagic Fever illness which is endemic in West Africa. The incubation period is 6-21 days.

The onset of the fever has non-specific signs and symptoms but fever, general weakness and malaise have been noted in its early stages.

This is followed by headaches, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pains.

Severe cases may progress to show facial swelling, and bleeding.

Shock, seizures, disorientation, and coma may be seen in the late stages.

About 80 % of Lassa Fever infections are mild or asymptomatic.

WHO has said the best way to prevent the disease is by promoting good community hygiene to discourage rodents that spread the disease from entering homes.