Confirmed! KUMACA students died of Swine Flu - Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu
The Minister of Health Kwaku Agyeman-Manu has confirmed that the
mysterious deaths recorded at the Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti region
were caused by a respiratory illness known as Influenza H1N1 2009.
Addressing the media Thursday, the Health Minister said 19 tests
conducted by the Nogouchi Memorial Institute confirmed Influenza H1N1
2009 as the cause of the deaths and not meningitis as earlier suspected.
Influenza H1N1 209 also known as swine flu was last recorded in
Ghana in 2009. The Minister also stated that seven students who died at
KUMACA in April this year died from meningitis.
Mr. Agyeman-Manu assured that the outbreak has been confined to the Kumasi Academy and not likely to spread beyond the school.
“Of the nineteen samples sent to Nogouchi…report from further tests
was received confirming H1NI 209 pandemic outbreak. Based on this…we
wish to indicate..an outbreak of acute respiratory infection with severe
presentation and some resulting in deaths,” the Minister said.
Mr. Agyeman-Manu also confirmed that 44 students have been infected
and are currently receiving treatment. He appealed to parents not to
panic and return wards who have been taken home.
According to him, vaccines will be sent to the school to fight the
outbreak and ensure that the situation is contained. Mr. Agyeman-Manu
cautioned the media to be circumspect in their reportage and not create
fear and panic in the country.
Source: Starrfmonline.com
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