Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed 12 new cases of Lassa Fever after further tests were conducted by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
The latest cases were revealed after the GHS tracked down 56 contacts from the first two confirmed cases on Sunday, February 26.
According to the GHS, there are currently 13 active cases of Lassa Fever. So far, one person has died as a result of the disease.
The GHS revealed on Sunday that the first case was a 40-year-old trader who became ill for about two weeks and died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
The second case is a contact of the fatal case and is currently admitted but in good condition. So far, the Ghana Health Service has identified 56 contacts being followed up on.
Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria are among the countries where Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever, is common.
QUICK FACTS ON LASSA FEVER
- The Lassa virus causes Lassa fever and the incubation period is 2-21 days.
- The virus is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent (Rats, Mice) urine, or faeces.
- Lassa virus may also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily fluids of a person infected with Lassa fever. Sexual transmission of the Lassa virus has been reported.
Lassa fever’s initial signs and symptoms can include fever and general weakness. Persons may later experience headaches, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, coughs, and abdominal pain.
There may be bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina, or stomach in extreme circumstances. In fatal cases, death usually happens 14 days or less after onset.
Antivirals are available as a treatment and are most effective when taken early. Lassa fever cannot currently be prevented by vaccination.
Prevention relies on promoting community hygiene to discourage rodents from entering our homes. Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the house, maintaining clean households, and keeping cats.
