The Director of Ghana Health Services, Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye has outlined to the public the measures to prevent Lassa fever.
According to Dr Kuma Aboagye, rodents cause Lassa fever and for that matter, people should clean their environment and make their houses tidy.
Speaking on Wontumi TV Morning Show With Oheneba Nana Asiedu on Thursday he added that the public should keep personal hygiene.
He disclosed that Lassa fever is not an airborne disease.
Symptoms of Lassa fever
The Ghana Health Service Director said the early symptoms of Lassa fever may include fever and general weakness. Persons may later present with headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, coughs, and abdominal pain.
“In severe cases, there may be bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or stomach. Death usually occurs within 14 days of onset in fatal cases.”
He stated that a person can contract the disease with a touch of the urine and feaces of rodents.
Meanwhile, Ghana has confirmed 12 cases of Lassa Fever after further tests were conducted by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
The latest cases were revealed after the GHS traced 56 contacts of the initial two cases confirmed on Sunday, February 26.
Active cases of Lassa Fever now stand at 13 according to the GHS. One person has so far died from the disease.