Accra, Aug. 13, GNA - The two patients who tested positive to the pandemic influenza A H1N1 in Greater Accra Region last week, have been managed and discharged without complications. Test results of samples of family and contacts of the two patients taken to Nogouchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research also tested negative for HINI 2009.

A statement in Accra signed by Mrs Rebecca Ackwonu, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), said all health facilities, both public and private, had been well prepared to receive and manage all cases.

The first case of the pandemic influenza H1N1 was confirmed in Ghana on August 6 this year. The first patient, a young lady who walked to a health facility with mild symptoms of influenza, said she had a cold from the brother who came from the United Kingdom where a sister of the brother had been diagnosed as being infected with H1N1 2009 virus. The two were quarantined under serious surveillance and treatment. The release said the GHS had put in measures to contain and manage cases should they occur.

The pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 is caused by a virus that affects the respiratory system and typically spreads through coughs and sneezes or by touching contaminated surfaces.

The disease, which may present itself like a common cold with cough, sore throat, fever, catarrh, general weakness, body ache and headache, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea, may also lead to severe pneumonia with difficulty in breathing, rapid breathing and chest pain. Symptoms can last up to a week. Complications of the disease include pneumonia and difficulty in breathing.

The disease is highly transmissible, with majority of cases presented as mild diseases especially in younger people. The statement mentioned regular hand washing with soap and water, hand rubbing with alcohol, keeping a distance from infected persons, and wearing of protected clothing by those taking care of patients, as some of the measures to stop the spread of the virus. 13 Aug. 09