Flu outbreak hits University of Ghana

There is an outbreak of influenza at the University of Ghana, authorities of the school have said in a statement on Friday.

“The University Health Services would like to inform members of the community of the outbreak of influenza (flu) in the University community. Confirmed cases of flu have been identified from the University Basic School as well as from the Students’ Clinic at the Central Cafeteria,” the statement to students said.

Some educational facilities in the Eastern and Greater Accra regions have also recorded cases of A3 influenza. They include Akuse Methodist Senior High School, Krobo Girls Senior High School, and the Legacy Girls Senior School, in the Lower Manya-Krobo District of the Eastern Region.
The University of Ghana has seen advised students as to the steps to take to prevent contracting the virus.

The University said it is “training health staff by a team from the Virology Department of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, on how to take throat samples and notification of the Municipal and Regional Health Directorates.”
It said there has also been an “invitation of a team from Field Epidemiology Programme of the School of Public Health to help investigate the outbreak,” adding that “the University Health Services would collaborate with academic, administrative and residential units of the University to continue sensitizing the community.”
Additionally, the University said it is procuring some “antivirals for the very ill patients, and some vaccines to protect staff of the Health Services.”

Below is the full statement:

Seasonal Influenza symptoms and treatment Introduction Influenza (commonly called the flu) is a highly contagious illness that can occur in children or adults of any age.

The flu is spread easily from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or touching surfaces. Serious illness is more likely in the very young, older adults, pregnant women, and people who have certain health problems such as asthma or other forms of lung disease.

Symptoms
● Fever (temperature of 38ºC or more)
● Headache and muscle aches
● Fatigue
● Cough and sore throat may also be present
● Runny nose
● People with the flu usually have a fever for two to five days.
● Weakness and fatigue may persist for several weeks. Flu treatment When to seek help — Most people with the flu recover within one to two weeks without treatment.

Report to your nearest Health facility if: ● You feel short of breath or have trouble breathing ● You have pain or pressure in your chest or stomach ● You have signs of being dehydrated, such as dizziness when standing or not passing urine ● You feel confused ● You cannot stop vomiting or you cannot drink enough fluids In children, you should seek help if the child has any of the above or if the child: ● Has blue or purplish skin colour ● Is so irritable that he or she does not want to be held ● Does not have tears when crying (in infants) ● Has a fever with a rash ● Does not wake up easily At risk groups ● There are several groups of people who are at increased risk for flu Public Health Unit, University of Ghana Health Services, November 2019 complications: ● Pregnant women, ● Young children

Source: Daily Mail GH