Ghana Health Service confirms H3N2v (?) Flu Outbreak - May 22, 2022

[Shiloh]

Source: https://newsghana.com.gh/ghana-health-service-confirms-h3n2v-outbreak/


Ghana Health Service confirms H3N2v Outbreak
By GNA -
May 22, 2022

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed the outbreak of HANZ virus with a call on Ghanaians to be on the alert.

Hanz Virus also known as H3N2v is a strain of influenza usually found in pigs, birds and humans and spreads more easily to humans from pigs than other swine influenza viruses.

These influenza viruses easily change (Mutation). Adult usually have stronger immunity than children.

A statement from the Service has said...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://ghanasoccernet.com/ghana-he...spension-of-all-games-involving-hearts-of-oak

Ghana Health Service recommends suspension of all games involving Hearts of Oak
Published on: 22 May 2022

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has recommended that all games involving Hearts of Oak be suspended due to an outbreak of Influenza A subtype H3N2 among the players.

This comes after the club reported an unknown illness that left them with only 16 players available for their midweek match against Bibiani GoldStars, as well as forcing the Ghana Football Association to postpone their clash against Eleven Wonders.

Many Hearts of Oak were hospitalized prior to the GoldStars game.

The GHS in a statement signed by Deputy Director-General Dr Anthony Ofosu said, "Preliminary findings from our investigations indicate the outbreak of Influenza A subtype H3N2 among footballers of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club.

"Following discussions we have had today, 21st May 2022, with a GFA official and an Accra Hearts of Oak official about the situation on hand, the Ghana Health Service recommends that to reduce any risk of further spread and to ensure that players recover fully and participate in the ongoing league, the GFA is to institute the following measures...

 

[alert]

Assuming this is seasonal H3N2, not H3N2v, which would indicate a non-circulating influenza virus (variant). Not sure what HANZ is, other than an attempt to fill in the blanks with A=3 and Z=2.

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/local/social/202206/468383.php

Ghana Confirms 773 Influenza A H3 Positive Cases
09-Jun-2022

Ghana has confirmed a total of 773 Influenza A H3 positive cases out of the cumulative 3,460 samples tested, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed.

The Influenza A virus is the commonest virus identified from sentinel surveillance sites and has several sub-types including the Pandemic Influenza H1N1 and the H3N2.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, muscle and back aches, general bodily weakness, and rash with blisters on the face, hands, feet, body, eyes, mouth, or genitals...

...So far, Influenza A H3 cases have been confirmed in all regions except, Upper East, Upper West, and North East Regions with Eastern, Greater Accra, and the Volta Regions, recording higher cases, he added.

“Eastern Region has reported approximately, 74.5 percent cases, Greater Accra 33.1 percent, and Volta 11.9 percent”, the Director-General indicated.

Meanwhile, Ghana is currently experiencing three different outbreaks: COVID-19, Monkeypox, and Influenza A H3. The Director-General, however, assured that the country’s health system was not overwhelmed as the control measures put in place for COVID-19 apply through all the outbreaks...

 

[Pathfinder]

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 24: 6 - 12 June 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 12 June 2022
...

All events currently being monitored by WHO AFRO
...

Ghana Influenza A(H3N2) Ungraded

Date notified to WCO 9-Jun-2022
Start of reporting period 1-Jan-22
End of reporting period 8-Jun-2022

Total cases 773
Cases Confirmed 773
Deaths 0
CFR 0.0%

An outbreak of influenza A (H3N2) is occuring in Ghana with 773 cases confirmed out of 3 460 samples tested since early June 2022. Most of the cases have been reported from Eastern (33.1%), Greater Accra (29.5%), and Volta (11.9%) regions.

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/356619/OEW24-0612062022.pdf

https://www.afro.who.int/countries/...-emergencies-bulletin-week-11-7-13-march-2022