The number was part of the 174 students who could not take part in the vaccination exercise in December 2017, when the general vaccination was done following a detection of the virus.

[contextly_sidebar id=”nsvLMXDrDDSIxu8tu4TQlI0F0Wvsp6vn”]Over 80 percent of the 2,810 student population, as well as teaching and non-teaching staff of the school and journalists, were vaccinated in December 2017 in the wake of the suspected outbreak of the disease at the school.

Speaking to Citi News, the Asokore Mampong Municipal Health Director, Ofori Amoah Justice, said the number of students who turned up for the exercise was encouraging.

He also encouraged other students who have not been vaccinated to ensure that they receive their injections.

“There were some students who were not vaccinated on the 21st to 22^nd December, so the health authorities and the school agreed on a date that today [Monday], that we will get all those who were not vaccinated against the H1N1. Actually, we were supposed to have vaccinated 174 students, but only 114 turned up, which to me is encouraging. We keep encouraging that the students come to school. When they come they should also make themselves available that they were not vaccinated in the previous and this current vaccination sessions so that together we will fight against the diseases, even though we have declared the epidemic to be over. But prevention is better than cure. We don’t want any episode of any diseases outbreak again.”

Four deaths were recorded at the school back in April 2017 from a suspected meningitis outbreak. But fourothers died in November, and the suspicion was that, they may have died from the H1N1 virus, after samples from some hospitalized students tested positive for the virus.

Respiratory samples sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research also indicated that there was an outbreak of an acute respiratory infection which the Health Ministry has since attributed as the cause of some of the deaths.

A private company was recently contracted by the Ministry of Education to carry out a fumigation exercise at the school following the suspected swine flu outbreak.

Most of the students left the school for their various homes, for fear of contracting the infection without taking the vaccines.

Speaking to Citi News after the latest vaccination exercise, Asokore Mampong Municipal Health Director, Ofori Amoah Justice, said the exercise will continue until the total student population is covered.

“The exercise is good, but coincidentally the students are having games, which did not allow them to come as expected, but we envisage that by close of week all those we didn’t get we will mob them up, and make sure we have the total population in KUMACA vaccinated, which means that we have about 90 to 99% of the population vaccinated against the H1N1 disease.”

He further pleaded with parents, students and the school authorities to report to the closest health facility any symptom of the infection for medical attention.

“I will use this opportunity to also inform parents and caretakers that we are in the meningitis season, and so we should be aware of any unusual happenings. Atypical example is headache, fever, neck pains, when you see any of these signs, please do report immediately to any nearby health facility and any necessary action that needs to be done will be done.”

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By: Ann-Shirley Ziwu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 114 KUMACA additional students vaccinated against Swine flu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Top of the agenda were the plans which have been put in place to prevent another outbreak of H1N1 influenza type A, that reportedly led to the 4 students in 2017, although four students had died before that incident bringing death toll in the school to eight.

[contextly_sidebar id=”gJrJTM1eEUszrrloEpM9ulSq7gf2ADbo”]Parents at the school’s first PTA meeting for the year on Sunday, January 14, 2018, appealed for more to be done to avert future cases.

School authorities and PTA executives spent time to explain measures the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service had put in place to forestall future incidents.

The leadership of the PTA is hopeful that the health measures employed by Government to fight the outbreak of H1N1 type A, will help prevent further deaths of students in the school.

The school’s PTA chairman, Owusu Achiaw, said over 80 percent of the students have returned to the school since it reopened for the new term.

He added that the students are currently taking part ins academic activities.

“My advice is that, based on what I have come to see in person, I am advising all parents to bring their wards to school because there is nothing again at Kumasi Academy”.

He further disclosed that the Ghana Baptist Convention has also intervened to upgrade the sick bay of the school to a clinic status.

The move according to him, is to complement Government’s efforts in averting future cases. He is hopeful the ugrade will be concluded soon since preparations are already underway to start it.

Mr. Achiaw commended stakeholders for their quick response during the crisis.

He expressed gratitude to Government, the Ghana Health Service, the Ghana Education Service, the Ashanti Regional Minister, the Asokore Mampong Municipal Chief Executive and all benevolent individuals and organizations who helped during the crisis.

Some parents who spoke to Citi News say their fears were allayed after the meeting.

One of the parents said: “I am so happy coming for the meeting. I am happy about the assurances from PTA executives and school authorities. The school’s environment is also well kept. All parents should allow their wards come to school. Even the students here are happy”.

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By: Hafiz Tijani/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post KUMACA: PTA, school heads discuss health issues after swine flu scare appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The disease was detected in some students of the school last year [2017] and was believed to be related to the deaths of some four students.

[contextly_sidebar id=”FXy6rI8ptpOdLBZyVpa5c7B75ADIfHCw”]A statement issued by the Health Ministry however indicated that no new cases of Swine Flu had been reported since 19^th December, 2017.

It further stated that the disease was a localized one and has since been controlled and declared over.

“Having gone over two maximum incubation periods without any new reported case linked to the outbreak, we consider it appropriate to, and subsequently wish to declare the outbreak over on technical grounds.

“We have instituted and strengthened systems to prevent, detect cases early and timely respond to any future occurrences to mitigate negative impact. Lessons learnt have been used to enhance school health and surveillance systems for H1N1, other Influenza-like illnesses and all priority diseases strengthened in the school and nationwide,” the statement said.

Health officials on high alert at KUMACA as school reopens

On Wednesday, health officials in the Asokore Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region, indicated that they will continue to monitor developments at school to avert a possible outbreak of any disease as the students resume to begin a new term.

Officials said they had also intensified surveillance in the school and within the Municipality to contain any case that might come up.

The statement from the Health Ministry is below

An outbreak of Influenza-A H1N1 was confirmed in a secondary school Kumasi Academy (Senior High School) in Ashanti Region in December, 2017. Simultaneously, sporadic cases of meningitis were recorded in three secondary schools; one school in each from the Eastern, Northern and Upper East Regions.

The Influenza-A H1N1 outbreak in Kumasi Academy started on the 29th November 2017 and as of 31st December 2017, a total of 95 cases (suspected, probable and confirmed) including four (4) deaths have been reported.

The response actions towards the outbreak included: improved case management including the use of antiviral agents (Relenza and Tamiflu), enhanced surveillance, public education and vaccination against H1N1 pdm09; with coverage of over 90 % of the students and staff (teaching and non-teaching) population.

Currently there are no more new cases and the last case was reported on the 19th December, 2017. Having gone over two maximum incubation periods without any new reported case linked to the outbreak, we consider it appropriate to, and subsequently wish to declare the outbreak over on technical grounds.

The H1N1 outbreak in Kumasi Academy was a localized one and has since been controlled and declared over. We have instituted and strengthened systems to prevent, detect cases early and respond to any future occurrences to mitigate negative impact. Lessons learnt have been used to enhance school health and surveillance systems for H1N1, other Influenza-like illnesses and all priority diseases strengthened in the school and nationwide.

We wish to indicate that, the vaccination exercise was conducted free of charge to the relevant school population and frontline health providers. The focal nature of the outbreak did not require nationwide vaccination campaign.

We recommend to the general population to observe general preventive measures which include cough and sneezing etiquette, personal hygiene, handwashing with soap and water and use of hand sanitizers.

Individuals that experience symptoms of Influenza-like illness are requested to report immediately to the nearest health facility for the necessary investigations and treatment.

Signs and symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1) include the following: Fever and chills, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, fatigue (tiredness) and shortness of  breath.

H1N1 can be prevented as follows: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

Encourage hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette of both people who are well and those who have any symptoms of H1N1. Wash your hands with soap under running water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Do best to practice personal and environmental hygiene (Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill).

Report quickly to the nearest health facility. Do not self-medicate. In another development, attention of the Ghana Health Services has been drawn to a publication in sections of the media (Print, Electronic and Social Media) claiming the Vaccination for Influenza-A H1N1

Meningitis is being offered for sale to students and parents in some public health facilities across the country. The Ministry of Health / Ghana Health Service has initiated investigations into the allegations and the initial observations indicate that, the H1N1 vaccination exercise was conducted mainly for and restricted to the targeted school population and selected frontline health workers and was done free of charge. We further wish to state that, no H1N1 vaccines nor Meningitis vaccines have been given to any public health facility to be given to any other students.

Although the said publications could not give specific facilities that were charging for these vaccinations, it was highly speculated. In view of this, our Regional and District Directors of Health Services have been directed to investigate any complain of sale of vaccines that comes to their desk whether from the media or from a parent.

If any parent or journalist has proof of vaccines being sold, he or she should contact any of the Regional or District Director of Health Service in his/her area with the evidence for further investigation and application of necessary sanctions and disciplinary measures to the culprits.

For Enquiries Contact:

Dr. Badu Sarkodie – Contact: 0244417911

Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe – Contact: 0244643142

Mrs. Rebecca Ackwonu – Contact: 0208118787

Mr. Robert Cudjoe – Contact: 0249955605

ISSUED BY THE MINSTRY OF HEALTH / GHANA HEALTH SERVICE

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post No more swine flu at KUMACA – Health Ministry appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The vaccines meant to prevent the spread of H1N1 infection following the Kumasi Academy outbreak, were expected to arrive in the country over the weekend but delayed.

[contextly_sidebar id=”jd6b8htaE1RbjAtjy2Y20xpR3RrYsHS7″]Speaking to Citi News, Public Relations Officer of the Health Ministry, Robert Cudjoe, said a meeting will be held later today [Thursday], to determine distribution arrangements of the vaccines.

“The vaccines are in. They got here around 7:50pm. We will have a meeting tomorrow [Friday], especially in Kumasi Academy where the outbreak occurred”

Apart from the vaccines, the country was also expected to take delivery of the anti-viral agents Tamiflu from the World Health Organization, as part of measures to combat the threat of the disease.

The drug, Tamiflu, was given to tens of thousands of people during the swine flu pandemic in 2009.

The disease has been detected in at least a dozen students of Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region, where four students are suspected to have died from it.

The school’s students and staff were administered some other antiviral agents, and the school was also fumigated, following the detection of the swine flu.

Apart from the suspected outbreak of swine flu at Kumasi Academy, a death from meningitis was recorded at the Koforidua Secondary Technical School in the Eastern Region.

Other meningitis deaths were recorded at the Damango Senior High School in the Northern Region and the Bawku Secondary Technical, Tempane SHS, and Zuarungu, all in the Upper East Region.

Response action

The Ministry in the statement also outlined measures it had taken to prevent a further spread of the disease .

These measures are listed below :

1. Alert has been sent to all health facilities for heightened awareness, early case detection and improved case management.

2. Enhanced surveillance in all the schools and communities.

3. Public education is ongoing.

4. Contact tracing initiated and ongoing.

5. National Technical Coordinating Committee (NTCC), Regional and District Public Health Emergency Management Committees activated.

6. Vaccines and more antivirals for H1N1 arranged for.

7. Initiated process to enhance School Health

8. Designating a hospital to each second cycle institution.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Swine Flu vaccines arrive, distribution begins today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is according to the Head of Surveillance at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Asiedu Bekoe.

[contextly_sidebar id=”i9PM5C4O2zXbKUf7dgsUWEZlGnu3VM6D”]The vaccines were expected to arrive in the country over the weekend but delayed.

Confirming the latest development to Citi News, Dr. Bekoe said: “As far as we are concerned, it is suppose to come today [Wednesday], so hopefully they will get it as early as possible. WHO and the Ministry are going to get it cleared, so we give it to the students as early as possible. “

The H1N1 flu has been detected in at least a dozen students of Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region, where four students are suspected to have died from it.

The school’s students and staff were administered some other antiviral agents, and the school was also fumigated, following the detection of the swine flu.

Apart from the suspected outbreak of swine flu at Kumasi Academy, a death from meningitis was recorded at the Koforidua Secondary Technical School in the Eastern Region.

Other meningitis deaths were recorded at the Damango Senior High School in the Northern Region and the Bawku Secondary Technical, Zuarungu SHS, and the Tempane SHS both in the Upper East Region.

Response action

The Health Ministry in a statement released a few days ago outlined measures it had taken to prevent a further spread of the disease .

These measures are listed below :
1. Alert has been sent to all health facilities for heightened awareness, early case detection and improved case management.
2. Enhanced surveillance in all the schools and communities.
3. Public education is ongoing.
4. Contact tracing initiated and ongoing.
5. National Technical Coordinating Committee (NTCC), Regional and District Public Health Emergency Management Committees activated.
6. Vaccines and more antivirals for H1N1 arranged for.
7. Initiated process to enhance School Health
8. Designating a hospital to each second cycle institution.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Swine flu vaccines to arrive today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The vaccines were expected to arrive over the weekend, but the Ministry in a press statement said suppliers had indicated that there will be a slight delay in the delivery.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Ru3L8AwVkArHXnqP9M5yQ971yU6iu83Q”]“The Ministry of Health with the support of the World Health Organisation, WHO, have procured vaccines and have taken steps to airlift them to Ghana for urgent use.

The Ministry says inasmuch as efforts are being made to facilitate the process, the supplier has indicated that there will be a slight delay in delivery.

“It is expected that; the vaccine will arrive in Accra by the middle of next week. The Ministry of Health and WHO are closely following up to ensure this is expedited. The vaccines will be immediately deployed for immediate use on arrival. We will keep you updated on any new development,” the statement said.

Apart from the vaccines, the country was also expected to take delivery of the anti-viral agents Tamiflu from the World Health Organization, as part of measures to combat the threat of the disease.

The drug, Tamiflu, was given to tens of thousands of people during the swine flu pandemic in 2009.

The disease has been detected in at least a dozen students of Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region, where four students are suspected to have died from it.

The school’s students and staff were administered some other antiviral agents, and the school was also fumigated, following the detection of the swine flu.

Aside from the suspected outbreak of swine flu at Kumasi Academy, a death from meningitis was recorded at the Koforidua Secondary Technical School in the Eastern Region.

Other meningitis deaths were recorded at the Damango Senior High School in the Northern Region and the Bawku Secondary Technical and Tempane SHS both in the Upper East Region.

Response action

The Ministry in the statement also outlined measures it had taken to prevent a further spread of the disease .

These measures are listed below :

1. Alert has been sent to all health facilities for heightened awareness, early case detection and improved case management.

2. Enhanced surveillance in all the schools and communities.

3. Public education is ongoing.

4. Contact tracing initiated and ongoing.

5. National Technical Coordinating Committee (NTCC), Regional and District Public Health Emergency Management Committees activated.

6. Vaccines and more antivirals for H1N1 arranged for.

7. Initiated process to enhance School Health

8. Designating a hospital to each second cycle institution.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Arrival of Swine flu vaccines to delay – Health Ministry appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Vaccines for the swine flu are also expected in the country on Saturday.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ZSHPPWlWhIrNMtttLQ9yRIPhwatD4Xf2″]This is according to a Ghana Education Service (GES) statement issued after a meeting with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The drug, Tamiflu, was given to tens of thousands of people during the swine flu pandemic in 2009.

The disease has been detected in at least a dozen students of Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region, where four students are suspected to have died from it.

The school’s students and staff were administered some other antiviral agents, and the school was also fumigated, following the detection of the swine flu.

According to the GES statement, “arrangements have been made to procure and airlift antiviral agent, Tamiflu, and vaccines for use.

Tamiflu is expected in the country by 15^th December, 2017 [today] and the vaccines by 16^th December 2017.”

The statement also noted that, the Ministry of Health has “sent alerts to all the regions, districts and facilities, to enhance surveillance and strengthen systems for prevention, early detection and timely responses.”

“The situation is under control, and there have not been any new reported cases,” the GES further assured.

Aside from the suspected outbreak of swine flu at Kumasi Academy, a death from meningitis was recorded at the Koforidua Secondary Technical School in the Eastern Region.

Other meningitis deaths were noted at the Damango Senior High School in the Northern Region from meningitis, and the Bawku Secondary Technical School.

For the cases of suspected meningitis, the GES said it was “awaiting the medical report from the Ghana Health Service, including their recommendations on the way forward, and will update the public accordingly upon receipt.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Swine Flu drug arrives today, vaccines expected on Saturday appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Indications are that, students in the school may have contracted the virus at the time of the President’s visit to the school on Saturday, December 2.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4ERqInBKlJWv7MHRe7D8ufgmRKjCdLA1″]The GMA, in a statement said: “We condemn the manner in which the life of the President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo and other citizens, were endangered by their visit to the school without the necessary measures being instituted.

It stressed that “due diligence should be done at all times including consultations with all needed professionals in subsequent events of this nature to forestall any future occurrence.”

Possible negligence from KUMACA

At least two students had died before December 2, before it emerged that the deaths may have been caused by the H1N1 pandemic strain of Influenza, also known as swine flu.

The virus was however confirmed in other students who were hospitalized after the testing of samples at the Noguchi Memorial Centre.

There has been some suggestion of negligence on the part of the Kumasi Academy leadership, with a bereaved family threatening a lawsuit after accusing the school of brushing the illnesses under the carpet because of its 60th-anniversary celebrations.

The bereaved family said the authorities failed to take proper care of students who fell sick, but rather concentrated on activities to mark the anniversary.

Health officials in the Ashanti Region have since said they have contained the spread of the swine flu.

Emergency preparedness

The Association expressed further concern with the country’s emergency preparedness, and noted that “the inadequate supply of personal protective equipment and other medical logistics needs to be improved.”

Of concern to the GMA is also the public engagement on the various outbreaks, which it said must adhere to protocols so as to avoid fueling panic.

“Politicians and the media should be circumspect in the handling of technical issues, and allow professionals to, as much as possible, handle such matters. The communication of conflicting positions during such emergencies fuels panic and unnecessary anxiety in the public and this hampers scientific work.”

Infectious disease centres needed in northern, southern zones – GMA

As the death count of students in senior high schools nationwide rises to at least eight, with many being hospitalized, the Ghana Medical Association has called for the setting up of two infectious disease centres.

In its first comments on the escalating health concerns in the senior high schools, the Association also called for better links between schools and health facilities.

“We reiterate our previous call to the government for the setting up of at least 2 national infectious disease centres – one in the southern sector, and the other in the northern sector to facilitate prompt diagnosis, service delivery, research and teaching.”

“The linkage of the school health system to specified facilities must be strengthened, the statement added.

SHS deaths

Aside from the suspected outbreak of swine flu at Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region where four students died, a death from meningitis was recorded at the Koforidua Secondary Technical School in the Eastern Region.

Another meningitis death was noted at the Damango Senior Hich School in the Northern Region from meningitis.

The latest death has been recorded at the Bawku Secondary Technical School, also from meningitis.

A final year student of the Kpone Community Senior High School in the Kpone-Katamanso District of the Greater Accra Region, has also been reported dead but the cause is unconfirmed.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Exposing Nana Addo, others to swine flu reckless – GMA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In its first comments on the escalating health concerns in the senior high schools, the Association also called for better links between schools and health facilities.

[contextly_sidebar id=”VV2BB9lrtiLKQjziFTbD495xAmF24tgq”]”We reiterate our previous call to the government for the setting up of at least 2 national infectious disease centres – one in the southern sector, and the other in the northern sector to facilitate prompt diagnosis, service delivery, research and teaching.”

“The linkage of the school health system to specified facilities must be strengthened, the statement added.

SHS deaths

The diseases that have been noted in afflicted senior high schools so far are meningitis and the H1N1 pandemic strain of Influenza, also known as swine flu.

The deaths have occurred in both in the northern and southern zone of the country, starting with the suspected outbreak of swine flu at Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region where four students died.

This was followed by another death at the Koforidua Secondary Technical School in the Eastern Region, and another at the Damango Senior High School in the Northern Region from meningitis.

Health officials in the Ashanti Region and the Eastern Regions have since said they have contained the spread of the various diseases.

The latest death has been recorded at the Bawku Secondary Technical School, also from meningitis.

A final year student of the Kpone Community Senior High School in the Kpone-Katamanso District of the Greater Accra Region has also been reported dead but the cause is unconfirmed.

Protocols for emergencies

The Association expressed further concern with the country’s emergency preparedness, and noted that, “the inadequate supply of personal protective equipment and other medical logistics needs to be improved.”

Of concern to the GMA is also the public engagement on the various outbreaks, which it said must adhere to protocols so as to avoid fueling panic.

“Politicians and the media should be circumspect in the handling of technical issues and allow professionals to, as much as possible, handle such matters. The communication of conflicting positions during such emergencies fuels panic and unnecessary anxiety in the public, and this hampers scientific work.”

–

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Infectious disease centres needed in northern, southern zones – GMA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Health officials have assured that the swine flu, also known as the H1N1 2009, had been contained after four student deaths.

[contextly_sidebar id=”zqajISONZLKtxqTJhVlvMds38HDGNzAa”]But speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, he said guidelines on how to manage diseases, especially the contagious ones, are urgently needed.

“From my point of view, I don’t think we should relax because for such conditions. They are contagious so once somebody is exposed, the likelihood of it spreading is high,” Dr. Dzradosi said.

“As a nation, right from the beginning, we need to push this out to the whole country and activate protocols that will ensure that if anybody shows up anywhere with symptoms, they can be managed no matter where you are in the country.”

Student deaths

Aside from the Kumasi Academy, a student of Koforidua Secondary Technical School died from a meningitis infection over the weekend.

This is the latest of several meningitis-related deaths in the region, where about 87 cases have been recorded in 2017 with nine deaths.

A student of Damongo Senior High School in the Northern Region has also died from meningitis, whilst 12 others are currently on admission at the Damongo District Hospital.

Emergency protocols

Elaborating further on what he called national protocols, Dr. Dzradosi said they are essentially concerned guidelines for managing the spread of major diseases at varying levels that are developed by public health physicians and adopted nationwide.

“National protocols basically mean something that comes from the top which will be developed by our public health physicians or pharmacists on how these conditions will be contained nationwide. I heard about somebody going to three facilities and there was nobody there to take care of them. This shouldn’t happen because the more they move around, if they truly have it, they are spreading it,” he explained.

Role of sensitization

He further recounted how the United States of America’s Centre for Disease Control responded to the H1N1 threat in 2009 with public education.

“They put out a lot of health education programmes for the people that took care of them, and depending on the kind of strain you have, the CDC will develop a vaccine to contain it… They also prepared focused education materials. For example, the clinics had something, the hospitals had something, the pharmacies had something and that is the way I think Ghana should go.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Don’t ‘relax’ in tackling swine flu – Pharmacist tells Gov’t appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.