The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says it has enhanced surveillance in Ghana after an outbreak of Hantavirus on a cruise ship, which has now docked in Cape Verde.

In a statement the GHS assured that no case of Hantavirus has been recorded in Ghana, but enhanced surveillance measures have been instituted following the docking of the cruise ship in Cape Verde.

Eight suspected cases have been reported on the cruise ship, with five confirmed and three deaths.

READ ALSO: Hantavirus Outbreak Risk To Public ‘Absolutely Low’ – WHO

The crew were largely from the Philippines, while passengers came from the US, Europe, South America, Australia, and parts of Asia.

Low global risk but vigilance advised

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US CDC, after a risk assessment, have indicated that the overall global public health risk remains low, but countries have been advised to strengthen surveillance and preparedness measures.

Hantavirus is a viral disease primarily spread through contact with infected rodents, especially through exposure to their urine, droppings, saliva, or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle pain, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and, in severe cases, breathing difficulties.

READ ALSO: Three Dead In Suspected Virus Outbreak On Atlantic Cruise Ship

Public health measures being implemented

In a press release, it was explained that the Ministry of Health and GHS are using its structures including Port Health, together with health partners, to institute precautionary public health measures to prevent any possible spread into Ghana.

These include enhanced surveillance of all ports of entry, including airports and seaports; increased monitoring and reporting of unusual respiratory illnesses in health facilities nationwide; public health education on rodent control and environmental sanitation; strengthened laboratory preparedness and rapid response systems; and collaboration with the WHO and international disease surveillance networks for timely information sharing.

Measures

The public has been advised to keep homes, workplaces, and surroundings clean to prevent rodent infestation; properly store food and dispose of waste promptly; avoid contact with rodents and their droppings; wear gloves and masks when cleaning rodent-infested areas; wash hands regularly with soap and clean water; and seek immediate medical attention if experiencing fever, difficulty breathing, or flu-like symptoms after possible exposure to rodents or recent international travel.

Assurance from GHS

“The Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service assure the public that Ghana’s disease surveillance systems remain active and responsive. Citizens are urged to remain calm, avoid misinformation and follow official public health guidance,” the statement read.

Ms. Doris Ocansey, the Adolescent Health Focal Person at the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate, has cautioned adolescents and young people against the frequent use of emergency contraceptive pills, warning that abuse could have adverse health implications.

She explained that emergency contraceptive pills contained significantly higher levels of hormones compared to standard daily contraceptives.

Ms. Ocansey noted that while regular contraceptive pills were designed to be taken over a 28-day cycle, emergency pills were intended strictly for use within 24 to 48 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.

She cautioned that repeated intake of such high hormonal doses, which the body did not require on a regular basis, could result in menstrual irregularities and possible fertility challenges.

Ms. Ocansey emphasized the need for health personnel to continue promoting abstinence among adolescents and young people, even though many were sexually active.

She said that while condoms and other contraceptive methods were available, condoms remained the only option that provided dual protection against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. She added, however, that condoms did not offer 100 percent protection.

According to her, abstinence remained the only guaranteed way of preventing both unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Touching on defilement and rape, Ms. Ocansey said healthcare providers were often the first point of contact for victims of sexual abuse.

She explained that while medical personnel provided immediate care, including testing and treatment for infections, responsibility for social interventions such as reporting cases to the appropriate authorities fell within the mandate of the District Social Welfare Office.

On abortion, Ms. Ocansey highlighted the health risks associated with the practice, particularly among young girls.

Responding to questions about allegations of healthcare workers performing abortions privately in their homes, she clarified that such acts were illegal and constituted a criminal offense.

She urged health professionals to report colleagues found to be engaging in such unlawful practices.

Ms. Ocansey advised young people against unsafe termination of pregnancies and encouraged them to seek care from recognized health institutions for their medical needs, rather than resorting to harmful concoctions and presenting at hospitals only when complications arose.

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Parliament on Wednesday passed the National Health Insurance Fund Amendment Bill, paving the way for the transfer of 20 percent of revenues generated by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, otherwise known as Mahama Cares.

The new legislation, if assented to by the President, would halt all input tax deductions on the National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) levy.

The allocation of 20 percent to the Medical Trust Fund is expected to support programs targeting non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which continue to pose major public health challenges in the country.

During the debate preceding its passage, sharp divisions emerged between the Majority and Minority Caucuses over the origins of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The NPP Minority strongly maintained that the initiative was first introduced in 2003 under President John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration, which provided primary healthcare to ordinary citizens who previously had to make upfront payment before receiving medical attention.

Members of the NDC Majority Caucus, however, countered that the NHIS was conceived during the tenure of President Jerry John Rawlings.

The passage of the Bill marks a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to expand healthcare financing and strengthen support for critical health interventions.

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