The Health Ministry has announced that no case of Ebola has so far been recorded in Ghana and has since advised the general public to remain calm.<\/p>\n
A statement signed by the outgoing sector Minister, Sherry Ayittey said tests on the specimen of the American who suspected to be carrying the proved negative after it was sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.<\/p>\n
The American reportedly died on Monday at the Nyaho Clinic in Accra.<\/p>\n
Below is the full statement<\/strong><\/p>\n The Ministry of Health wishes to bring to the notice of the public the current Ebola situation in the sub-region and particularly in Ghana. Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia continue reporting increasing number of Ebola cases. As of 3rd July 2014, a total of 779 cases including 481 deaths (case fatality ratio 61.7%) had been reported from 6 districts including Conakry the capital of Guinea.<\/p>\n Ghana had a test case a few days ago when a foreign national with travel history of a visit to one of the affected countries. He fell sick and was rushed to one of our hospitals and the clinical presentation led us to suspect Ebola Virus Disease. As most of us are aware, specimens have been sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and results are NEGATIVE.<\/p>\n After four laboratory test, all proved negative. The Ministry wishes to advice the public to remain calm. The Ghana Health Service Surveillance Team is working very hard especially in the area of public education to raise the required awareness and get all to practice the highest level prevention and control measures.<\/p>\n I take this opportunity to greatly commend the management and staff of Nyaho Medical Centre who worked hard during the period without going home to save the life of the patient with professionalism and dedication, this is highly appreciated.<\/p>\n \u2022 Ebola is a severe, infectious often-fatal disease in humans that presents with high fever and bleeding. There is no vaccine against Ebola. Ebola virus disease is characterized by sudden onset of fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is often followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and bleeding tendencies (both internal and external) that may include blood spots in the eyes, blood in the vomitus, sputum, urine or stool, bleeding from the nose and other body openings.<\/p>\n The spread of this current outbreak is commonly person to person through: As a country, we have in place a preparedness and response plan with the following major components: \u2022 Public education is ongoing, and some posters and brochures have been developed, printed and distributed. Key messages in the educational materials are as follows: \uf076 On surveillance, the country is on high alert and has activated the system to a very high degree. For more information: Thank you for your attention.<\/p>\n SIGNED:<\/strong><\/p>\n HON. SHERRY AYITTEY<\/strong> <\/p>\n By: Efua Idan Osam\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
\n\u2022 It is very infectious and kills in a short time BUT Ebola can be prevented.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected or dead animals.
\n\u2022 Direct physical contact with body fluids of infected persons like blood, saliva, stool, vomitus, urine, and soiled linen.
\n\u2022 Burial ceremonies where mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can play a role in the transmission of Ebola.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Risk communication-social mobilization and health education
\n\u2022 Epidemiological and laboratory surveillance (in human and animal)
\n\u2022 Case management
\n\u2022 Logistics, security and financial resources
\n\u2022 Coordination
\nIn implementing the above mentioned plan,<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Avoid direct contact with body fluids of a person suffering from Ebola by using protective materials like gloves, goggles, and masks
\n\u2022 Disinfect the beddings and clothing of an infected person with disinfectant
\n\u2022 Persons suspected to be suffering from Ebola should be taken to the nearest health unit immediately
\n\u2022 People who have died from Ebola should be promptly and safely buried under strict supervision
\n\u2022 Persons who have died of Ebola must be handled using appropriate protective wear and buried immediately under strict supervision
\n\u2022 Report any suspected cases of Ebola to the nearest health unit immediately
\n\u2022 Wash your hands with soap and water after handling a patient or the body of a person who has died of Ebola
\n\u2022 Providing information to people about the nature of the disease, it spreads, and how it can be prevented.
\nThere is continuous media interaction to enhance collaboration and boost public education on the disease.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 All frontline staff have been trained to identify any suspected cases
\n\u2022 The field officers are on the alert to pick package and transport specimens to the lab for confirmation<\/p>\n
\n1. Dr. Badu Sarkodie – Deputy Director (PH) & Head, Disease Surveillance Department, Ghana Health Service. E-mail:sarks60@yahoo.co.uk
\n2. Dr Kyei Faried – Deputy Director (PH) & Head, Disease Control and Prevention Department, Ghana Health Service. E-mail:kyei.faried@ghsmail.org
\n3. Dr Sally-Ann Ohene \u2013 Disease Prevention and Control Officer, WHO Country Office in Ghana. E-mail: ohenes@who.int<\/p>\n
\nMINISTER FOR HEALTH<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nFollow @osamidan<\/a>
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