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| Ghana takes further measures to prevent swine flu
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Accra, Ghana (PANA) -
Passengers arriving in Ghana through the Kotoka Internatio
nal Airport (KIA) in Accra are being observed by surveillance teams for symptoms
of swine flu, as the authorities step up preventive measures against the disease
whose outbreak in several countries in world has become a major cause of worry t
o
health and political authorities.
Abraham Adom, Director of Port Health at the airport, told the Ghana News Agency
on Wednesday that passengers are being given fliers which contain information o
n
symptoms of the disease.
Anyone experiencing any symptoms would be advised to immediately contact the Por
t Health Desk at the airport.
Adom said special arrangements had also been made to deal with any suspected cas
es that might be detected at the airport, but no such case had been detected so
f
ar.
The measures, being taken upon a directive from the Ministry of Health, come as
the World Health Organization (WHO) raises the alert over the spread of swine fl
u
to level five - one short of a full-blown pandemic.
A phase five alert means human-to-human transmission in at least two countries.
Adom advised the public, especially those who come into contact with people who
have just arrived from other countries and have symptoms, to contact the nearest
health centre.
The disease which began in Mexico has spread to the US, Canada, New Zealand and
European countries.
Dr Elias Sory, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, has advised the pub
lic not to panic over the disease.
He said adequate measures have been put in place to contain any possible outbrea
k and the authorities would remain on high alert to investigate and manage any s
u
spected case.
Health Minister Dr George Sipa-Adjah Yankey has said there should be no restrict
ion of regular travel or closure of boarders, which is in line with current WHO
r
ecommendations.
He said in a statement that a National Human Influenza Health Committee, made up
of agencies and departments that deal in health and disaster management, met on
Tuesday to discuss and assess the local and international situations and endorse
measures to deal with the situation.
The institutions included the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service (GHS), Fo
od and Drugs Board, state hospitals in Accra, National Disaster Management Organ
i
sation, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Port Health, Ghana Immi
g
ration Service, Ghana Airport Company Limited, Veterinary Services Department an
d
the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana.
The committee said an alert on the outbreak be sent to all regions and districts
and regular updates made.
It said there should be enhancement of surveillance for early detection nationwi
de and steps taken to ensure adequate stocks of antiviral drugs and supplies, as
well as personal protective equipment that have been propositioned in the region
s
for treatment of cases.
The statement said in addition the committee agreed that Noguchi Memorial Instit
ute for Medical Research be designated as the lead institution for cases confirm
e
d and charged to update protocols for specimen collection and transportation.
The Ministry of Health and its agencies have also been charged to put in place s
ystems for prompt and appropriate management of all cases, while all regional ho
s
pitals should establish isolation wards for management of swine flu cases.
The statement advised the general public to observe simple precautions such as w
ashing of hands with soap immediately after handling pigs, report symptoms of fe
v
er, cough and breathing difficulties after one has handled sick and dying pigs i
m
mediately to health facilities for medical attention.
It also advised that pork be well cooked, at least above 70 degree Celsius, to e
nsure that they were safe for eating.
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| Accra - 29/04/2009 |
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