Indications from the government are that the students and staff of Kumasi Academy will remain in the school till response efforts to the detected influenza virus are completed.
Addressing Parliament on Friday, the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, said efforts are already underway in this regard while disease surveillance measures are being strengthened.
[contextly_sidebar id=”R3vugQ6oTN7WtB2CMcNGGibPN29tYmN7″]“Mr. Speaker going forward, the ministries of Health and Education, the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service have recommended, and we are embarking upon that, that students should continue to remain [on the school’s premises] to enable final conclusion and response actions,” the Minister said.
Initially, the Kumasi Academy was set to close down today [Friday] until it became clearer the health crisis in the school was brought on the pandemic strain of influenza type A, H1N1 2009 also known as Swine Flu.
The government is thus looking for support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to provide influenza vaccines for the students and staff.
The health crisis at the school has claimed four lives and hospitalized at least 32.
However, the outright cause of death of the four students of the school and the hospitalization of 32 has yet to be fully confirmed.
Mr. Agyemang-Manu added on the floor of Parliament that the government was going to rely on antiviral agents.
“We have procured already and we are in the process of procuring antiviral agents for case management. So far that is what has been used and it looks like it has succeeded in containing and treating the disease.”
“Aside from these, steps are also being taken to enhance school health at Kumasi Academy and there will be the strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures along with intensified sensitisation and public education,” Mr. Agyemang-Manu added.
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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana