ACCRA, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Ghana has intensified surveillance systems against any possible outbreak of hantavirus in the country, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) said in a statement late Friday.
According to the statement, the West African country has recorded no cases of the virus as of May 7 and is making every effort to ensure the virus does not spread into the country.
"The Ghana Health Service, using its structures, including port health, together with health partners, has instituted precautionary health measures to prevent any possible spread into the country," said the statement.
The GHS announced it is implementing quite some public health and precautionary measures to prevent the virus from entering Ghana, as well as collaborating with the World Health Organization and international disease surveillance networks for timely information sharing.
Hantavirus infection has been reported on a cruise ship where a total of eight suspected cases have been reported, with five confirmed and three deaths.
Hantavirus is a viral disease primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents such as rats and mice. Infection can occur through inhaling contaminated dust, touching contaminated surfaces, or exposure to rodent droppings. In rare cases, certain strains, such as the Andes virus, can spread between humans through close contact. ■
