Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of Ghana Health Services (GHS), stated that the Lassa fever epidemic that emerged in March in the capital Accra has ended.
Kuma-Aboagye stated that people who were treated due to the epidemic recovered and were discharged.
Kuma-Aboagye, who warned to avoid possible spread of disease in the country, said, “We should avoid direct and indirect contact with people who are suspected of having Lassa fever or another contagious disease, and we should wash our hands regularly to avoid infections.” said.
GHS announced in March that there were 26 cases of Lassa fever in the country.
According to the criteria of the World Health Organization, for an epidemic to be declared over, there must be no new case in the region for 42 days.
What is Lassa Fever?
Although Lassa virus, which causes bleeding disease, comes from the same family as Ebola and Marburg viruses, it is milder than these two viruses.
Found in West Africa, Lassa virus is transmitted to humans through contact with rodent urine or feces, contaminated food, or household items.
The virus is also spread among people through the blood, urine, feces or bodily secretions of the infected person.
Symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are encountered in those who are infected with the virus. In severe cases, bleeding may occur in the gums, eyes or nose.
Lassa fever, which is seen in many African countries such as Mali, Togo, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, was first encountered in 1969 in Lassa, Nigeria.
There are frequent outbreaks of Lassa fever in Nigeria.
The disease had killed one person in England in February.