<<Print>>

The Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah has expressed worry about the management of the H1N1 epidemic that struck Kumasi Academy School.

Two of the students – both males in the first-year – passed on at different occasions on Thursday at the Kumasi Academy School following an outbreak of a strange disease and having been rushed to the hospital over high temperature.

A third student died Friday evening after he had reportedly left the school compound for the house to seek medical treatment.

He was also said to be having high temperature. The deaths were recorded during the celebration of the school’s 60th anniversary, which was attended by President Akufo-Addo and some old students.

Authorities at the school did not issue any official statement about the situation in the mixed school.

It however emerged the four Kumasi Academy students who died over the last few days died of Influenza Type A popularly referred to as Swine Flu.

Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang Manu has said 12 out of the 19 cases sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute tested positive for the virus.

Providing more details, the Minister said the Influenza type A has the H1N1 Pandemic strain.

The Health Minister has therefore asked that students who were sent home must immediately return so the vaccination will be administered to them.

However, Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, the Ashanti regional minister explained that efforts to have all students treated have proven difficult as parents have refused to bring their wards to the school for vaccination.

"We are therefore entreating parents to bring their wards for treatment," he added.

Steps have been taken to cleanse the school.

About Swine Flu

According to the World Health Organization, the Influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged in 2009.

It is transmitted through the respiratory system mainly through droplets disseminated by unprotected coughs and sneezes.

Short-distance airborne transmission of influenza viruses may occur, particularly in crowded enclosed spaces. Hand contamination and direct inoculation of virus is another possible source of transmission.

Nature of the disease

An acute respiratory infection of varying severity, ranging from asymptomatic infection to fatal disease. Typical influenza symptoms include fever with abrupt onset, chills, sore throat, non-productive cough and, often accompanied by headache, coryza, myalgia and prostration.