Accra, Nov. 26, GNA - Confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 in Ghana as at Tuesday, November 24 is 45, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) announced on Thursday.

It said in a statement that a total of 447 specimens had been investigated at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, the National Influenza Centre.

"The total number confirmed as positive for influenza H1N1 2009 virus stands at 45," the statement signed by Rebecca Ackwonu, Public Relations Officer of GHS, said. No death has been recorded in the country so far. GHS said an upsurge of cases at the Lincoln Community School in Accra had been investigated.

The statement said a total of 24 cases had so far been confirmed in the school, adding that all patients were responding well to treatment. GHS said all the necessary measures had been taken to break the cycle of transmission within the school, including the temporary suspension of classes in consultation with the school authorities.

The statement said the GHS had also received maximum co-operation from the school authorities to contain the outbreak. "The situation in the country is being closely monitored as influenza pandemics have been known to occur in waves, from 'mild' to 'moderate' to 'severe'" 26 Nov. 09