Health News of Wednesday, 13 April 2011

Source: GNA

Vaccines are available to contain H1H1 influenza

Sunyani (B/A), April 13, GNA - Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang, Acting Brong=96Ahafo Regional Director of Health Services, has given assurance that there is adequate stock of vaccines to contain the H1N1 Influenza as well as other influenzas that may occur in the region. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday in Sunyani, Dr Tinkorang asked the people not to panic in the face of recent reports about the outbreak of the H1N1 Influenza in the region. "We are adequately prepared to manage and deal with any challenges that may arise with respect to an outbreak of the disease in the region as we have vaccines for diseases such as the H2N3, H1N5 and others not reported of as yet," he stated.

Dr Tinkorang added that although the World Health Organisation had declared the H1N1 Influenza pandemic to be over, 93an outbreak of the disease is still possible and we may have a focal outbreak, this is what we are prepared to deal with".

He entreated all to observe strict environmental sanitation and good personal hygiene since the disease as well as cholera were transmitted through food, water bodies and improper disposal of human excreta.

Dr Tinkorang called for attitudinal change among the populace so that revenue that would be used to fight harmful diseases could rather be channelled to other developmental projects.