The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reported a surge in cases of Influenza A strains H3N2 and H1N1 in the Greater Accra, Central, Bono, and Eastern regions, describing the strains as part of the country’s seasonal flu viruses.
In a statement shared with the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, the Service noted that the rise in infections coincides with Ghana’s annual flu season, which typically peaks during the cooler months.
Dr Samuel Akoriyea Kaba, Director General of GHS, explained that common symptoms of seasonal flu include sudden onset of fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. The virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking, as well as via contact with contaminated surfaces.
Get more exclusive breaking news updates on our WhatsApp channel .
Children and adolescents, particularly those in schools, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, are at higher risk of infection. The Service assured the public that all necessary measures are being implemented to contain the outbreak, but stressed that cooperation from all stakeholders was essential to protect individuals, families, and communities.
The GHS called on school authorities, parents, and students to adhere strictly to preventive measures, urging the public to seek early medical care if experiencing flu-like symptoms and to stay home when unwell to prevent further transmission. Recommended precautions include frequent handwashing with soap under running water, avoiding crowded spaces, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and wearing face masks in congested settings.
To manage the outbreak, GHS has enhanced surveillance and rapid diagnostic testing at health facilities, updated clinical management protocols, intensified public education campaigns, and coordinated with regional health directorates to ensure a timely response.
