{"id":381083,"date":"2017-12-07T20:18:07","date_gmt":"2017-12-07T20:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=381083"},"modified":"2017-12-07T21:18:33","modified_gmt":"2017-12-07T21:18:33","slug":"acute-respiratory-infection-caused-some-kumaca-deaths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2017\/12\/acute-respiratory-infection-caused-some-kumaca-deaths\/","title":{"rendered":"Acute respiratory infection ’caused’ some KUMACA deaths"},"content":{"rendered":"
Some of the deaths at Kumasi Academy can be traced to an outbreak of Acute respiratory infection, the Health Ministry has stated.<\/p>\n
Health officials are still yet to fully establish the cause of death of four students, and the hospitalization of 32 others at health facilities in the Ashanti Region.<\/p>\n
But based on findings from samples sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, said there was “an outbreak of an acute respiratory infection with severe presentations and some resulting in death.”<\/p>\n
“Fortunately, the outbreaks are so far confined to a small area in Kumasi Academy. It hasn\u2019t spread to the very nearest town where their school is located,” the Minister added.<\/p>\n
Contradiction from Noguchi<\/strong><\/p>\n But comments from the Noguchi Memorial Institute’s Director, Professor Kwabena M. Bosompem, appear to contradict that of the Health Ministry because the research institute is yet to take delivery of autopsy samples from the deceased students.<\/p>\n Responding to Citi News<\/strong> on whether the causes of death at the school had been identified, Prof Bosompem\u00a0said: \u201cthat I can’t say because that is pathology.”<\/p>\n \u201cSome autopsy samples have been collected, and are being sent to Noguchi to start investigations. So unless we investigate that, and know exactly what is the cause of death, it is not good to speculate.”\u00a0Prof. Bosompem explained.<\/p>\n About Acute respiratory infection <\/strong><\/p>\n The Acute respiratory infection is an infection that may interfere with normal breathing. It can affect one’s upper respiratory system, which starts at the sinuses and ends at the vocal chords.<\/p>\n It can also affect just one’s lower respiratory system, which starts at the vocal chords and ends at the lungs.<\/p>\n This infection is particularly dangerous for children, older adults, and people with immune system disorders.<\/p>\n Samples from KUMACA test positive for \u2018Swine Flu\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Out of 19 samples sent to the NOGUCHI Memorial Institute from the Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region,\u00a012 tested positive for influenza type A, the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman Manu further revealed.<\/p>\n According to the Minister, reports on further tests\u00a0were received confirming Influenza type-A H1N1 2009<\/a><\/strong><\/span> [Otherwise known as Swine Flu], pandemic strain.<\/p>\n The tests became necessary following what many have called mysterious deaths involving four students of the school in the past week.<\/p>\n Four other students\u00a0had died earlier in 2017, bringing the total number of deaths to eight students.<\/p>\n