Swine Flu Drug Arrives Today, Vaccines Expected On Saturday

Ghana will today [Friday] take delivery of the anti-viral agents Tamiflu from the World Health Organization, as part of measures to combat the threat posed by the 2009 H1N1 strain of influenza, also known as swine flu.

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

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 15th December, 2017 [today] and the vaccines by 16th 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.”

Source: Citifmonline