Killer Flu in Ghana

The Kumasi Academy, a public, senior high school located in Asokore-Mampong region of Ghana (4), was recently afflicted with the deaths of four students out of forty-four reported cases (1). A type A Influenza virus is though to be the culprit, as it was present in 12 out of 19 samples that were taken from those who reported cases.

The minister of health urged students to stay on campus so that they may get vaccinated (and to be able to more easily control the outbreak) (1).

Over the course of 2017, there have 11 deaths from influenza. As the death toll rises, and parents of the students visit the school to urge the students to return home, the minister of health urges families to leave their children there- as the exact mechanism and cause of death for the deceased is not yet completely known (1).

Since the 2006/2007 H5N1 outbreak, Ghana raised awareness of the prevalence and danger of influenza transmission, but it might have scared people living in Ghana more than it compelled them to receive vaccinations (2).

-EM

Source:
1. https://yen.com.gh/102560-mysterious-kumaca-deaths-caused-by-influenza-health-minister.html#102560
2. http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/90/4/12-040412/en/
3. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/influenza-a-virus-subtypes.htm
4. http://kumaca.edu.gh/about-us/