Ghana steps up port surveillance after hantavirus cases confirmed on cruise ship near Cape Verde
Ghana has moved swiftly to bolster its disease surveillance systems following confirmation of Hantavirus cases aboard a cruise ship that recently docked in Cape Verde, with health authorities activating emergency response mechanisms and placing ports of entry on heightened alert as a precautionary measure.
The Ghana Health Service confirmed that five cases of the virus have been detected among passengers on the vessel, with three fatalities recorded so far. While no case has been identified within Ghana’s borders, authorities say they are leaving nothing to chance.
Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, said the country’s emergency infrastructure has already been set in motion in anticipation of any potential threat.
“We have activated our emergency system to make sure we are aware of it. Should there be any suspected cases, if possible, we will send samples to our lab.
Currently, Noguchi is capable, as well as KCCR,” he stated, referring to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research — both equipped to handle diagnostic testing for the virus.
Beyond laboratory readiness, Dr Asiedu-Bekoe confirmed that designated treatment centres have been identified and primed to receive and manage any cases that may emerge.
Public health education and risk communication campaigns are also being ramped up to equip citizens with the information they need to protect themselves and recognise potential warning signs.
“We also have our special centres that can manage cases. We are also trying to communicate with the population about what they need to do to prevent themselves from getting the infection,” he added.
Hantavirus is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine and saliva, and does not typically spread easily from person to person.
However, the confirmation of cases on a vessel with international passenger movement has prompted regional health authorities to treat the situation with considerable seriousness.
The Ghana Health Service has called on the public to stay calm while remaining alert, assuring Ghanaians that the necessary systems are firmly in place to detect, contain and respond to any suspected infections should the situation evolve.
Comments (0)