By: Yvonne Atilego
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says the country is free from the Marburg virus disease. This follows the successful discharge from hospital, of the only survivor among those who contracted the virus. The announcement was made by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye at a media briefing in Accra. He also said the only survivor has been reunited with his family.
Ghana recorded its first Marburg case on Monday, July 4, 2022. Three cases were subsequently reported, with the last being on 21st July 2022. Two of the three persons diagnosed with the disease unfortunately died. In all, 198 contacts were identified in four districts which include Adansi North and South, Prestea Huni Valley, and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba of which 118 of them have completed the 21 days of mandatory follow-up and have since been discharged.
Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye who made the declaration in Accra said the exit of the Marburg Disease has been as per the combined effort of all using strategies including; ”Enhanced surveillance and Active Case Search Testing of all Suspected Cases, Enhanced Risk Communication, and Community Engagements, Clinician and other HCW sensitization”, he posited.
The WHO representative to Ghana, Dr. Francis Kasolo praised the swiftness and consistency of the GHS in controlling the disease.
