GHS raises alert on Lassa fever after 31 die in Nigeria outbreak

Following the outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria, which has claimed 31 lives, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has ordered all health facilities nationwide to be on high alert. 

It has also asked heads of such facilities, including Regional Directors of Health Services and Chief Executive Officers of Teaching hospitals, to ensure that the alert message is relayed to all health workers in the Regions, Districts and hospitals, including mission and private facilities.  

A statement issued by the Health Service further requests all Regional Directors of Health Services to initiate the process to create public awareness of Lassa fever. 

It said the Ministry of Health of Nigeria has confirmed and subsequently declared a Lassa fever outbreak which has affected about 18 States, with over 300 cases and 31 deaths. 

The outbreak has been on-going for the past six weeks and has necessitated urgent spontaneous national response actions among all neighbouring countries.  

Lassa fever outbreak has been recurrent in Nigeira and the current outbreak has affected health workers in some states. 

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever which is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. 

Medical experts say because the clinical course of the disease is so variable, detection in affected patients has been difficult.

SOURCE: GRAPHIC
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