General News of Sunday, 25 January 2009

Source: GNA

Strange disease victims hits Anfoeta-Gborgame

Anfoeta-Gbogame (V/R), Jan 25, GNA-A strange disease, which manifests in victims suddenly becoming dizzy and then suffering a blackout has broken out at Anfoeta-Gbogame in the Ho Municipal Area. The victims stay in coma for a while, sometimes going into spasm before regaining consciousness, but with a lingering general feeling of malaise for days.

Mr. Emmanuel Kusipe, Regent of Anfoeta-Gborgame told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that 11 people had suffered from the disease by Friday January 16, this year.

He said in one instance, two people who came to the rescue of a victim, after he had gone down twitching, also felt dizzy and collapsed.

Mr. Kusipe said the victims included both residents and visitors adding that the community was gripped by fear, especially when the condition had not been reported in any of the adjoining communities. He said no deaths had been reported from the disease. Adeline Klu, 45 and Mary Fiawonu, 35 both victims who spoke to the Both had abrasion on the face and tongue from the fall and twitches while in coma.

Nelson Klu, Assembly Member for the Area said a report had been made to the District Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) at Ho, where a staff promised to facilitate the dispatch of a team to find out about the disease.

Miss Veronica Ayivi, Superintendent of the Hlefi Health Centre, the nearest medical facility to the affected community said only one person reported after recovering and was treated for abrasions, chest pain and dizziness and was said to be doing well.