President Nana Akufo-Addo was “exposed” to the H1N1 outbreak at the Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region, “but was not infected”, Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang-Manu has revealed.

The President was in KUMACA last weekend to attend the 60th anniversary of the school at which time two students were known to have died of the disease – which was recently identified as H1N1 after tests by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.

Mr Agyemang-Manu told journalists on Thursday, 7 December that the “acute respiratory illness” most likely H1N1 Flu Virus (Swine Flu) is what has claimed the lives of at least eight students of the same school.

According to Mr Agyemang-Manu, influenza type A was isolated from 12 out of 19 samples at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.

“About two hours ago, reports from further tests was received confirming influenza type A H1N1 pandemic strain,” Agyemang-Manu said.

This indicates that the KUMACA cases could possibly be as a result of this disease.

H1N1 is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses which can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of this flu infection can result in hospitalisation or death.

According to the minister, a total of 44 cases have been recorded at the school with four deaths, however, no new cases have been reported since Wednesday, November 6.

He indicated that students are to remain on campus while health authorities assemble resources to deal with the outbreak. He said the outbreak is confined and not widely spread on campus, adding, they had strengthened surveillance.

Mr Agyemang-Manu noted that there are collaborations with the World Health Organisation and immediate steps have been taken to have access to vaccines.

In addition, he indicated that government has procured anti-viral agents for case management and there will be “strict adherence to prevention and control measures”.