THE Ashanti Regional Directorate of Health Service has trained about 1,210 health professionals in readiness for containing and managing any outbreak of the H1N1 influenza in the region.
The trained health professionals are located at various health facilities in the urban and district hospitals to enhance early diagnosis of people who may be infected with the H1N1 virus.
The Regional Directorate of Health Service has also distributed drugs and protective equipment to all regional and district hospitals, as well as formed teams to mount surveillance for detection of the disease at its early stages to enhance efficient management.
The influenza, which has currently spread to six of the regions of the country, excluding Brong Ahafo, Upper East, Upper West and the Volta regions, has so far infected 513 people.
In the Ashanti Region, only four cases have so far been diagnosed. Two victims of the H1N1 disease who were diagnosed in August last year have already been treated, but two others who were diagnosed early this month have been quarantined at their various homes while they receive treatment.
Briefing journalists in Kumasi, the Deputy Director of Health in charge of Public Health in the region, Dr Joseph Oduro, said a regional technical co-ordinating committee had already been formed to co-ordinate the activities to enhance effective and efficient management of people who might be infected with the disease.
The media interaction sought to solicit media support to educate the public about the H1N1 influenza, which is caused by a virus and affects the respiratory organs.
It also sought media support to educate the public on the measures that should be adopted to prevent its spread.
On what the Regional Health Directorate was doing to contain the disease in case of major outbreak in the region, Dr Oduro said, “We have outlined an epidemic preparedness plans at the regional and district levels and also intensified public education through community durbars, mass media, posters on the H1N1 disease and sensitised district directors of education, students and school children to the disease”.
He pointed out that the symptoms of the H1N1 influenza included fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes diarrhoea and vomiting.
“Complication of the disease include pneumonia and difficulty in breathing, and in extreme cases, death occur in persons who have other medical problems or complications,” he noted.
He urged the public to use soap to wash their hands regularly and when necessary rub their hands with alcohol to reduce the spread of the disease.
“Keep a distance of at least one step from the infected person to avoid coming into contact with the influenza droplets, and if there is a contact with a sick person or with potentially infected surface, or objects, those involved must not touch their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands,” he noted.
He said it was equally important for sick persons who were not on admission to stay at home to limit contact with others.
“They should also cover their mouth with tissue or handkerchief when sneezing or coughing to reduce the spread of the diseases,” he advised.
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