38 H1N1 tests confirmed positive

Thirty-eight out of 345 specimens of Influenza H1N1 made up of 294 suspected cases and 51 contacts investigated at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research were confirmed positive. A statement issued in Accra on Friday signed by Ms. Rebecca Ackwonu, Public Relations Officer of Ghana Health Service, said an upsurge in cases had been identified in a localized outbreak in an educational institution, the Lincoln Community School. It said that out of a school population of about 700, 16 cases had been confirmed representing about two per cent of the school population. The statement said all confirmed cases had been treated and did not pose a public health threat to the public. It said all the necessary measures including the suspension of school activities for 10 days had been taken to break the cycle of transmission. The statement said no death had been recorded in Ghana so far and "the situation is being closely monitored as Influenza Pandemics have been known to occur in waves, from 'mild' to 'moderate' to 'severe'.