Accra: The Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service, has announced a rise in seasonal influenza cases across parts of the country, urging the public to observe preventive measures to curb further spread.

According to Ghana News Agency, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) stated that the confirmed strains, Influenza A (H3N2 and H1N1), are part of the common seasonal flu viruses that tend to peak during Ghana’s cooler months. The most affected areas include the Greater Accra, Central, Bono, and Eastern regions.

Symptoms of the flu include sudden onset of fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. Transmission occurs mainly through respiratory droplets from infected persons or by touching contaminated surfaces, the GHS said in a statement. It warned that crowded settings such as schools, dormitories, markets, and transport terminals are high-risk environments for rapid spread.

To strengthen its response, the Service has enhanced surveillance and rapid diagnostic testing at health facilities, updated case management protocols for clinicians, intensified public education through media and community platforms, and is coordinating with regional health directorates to ensure timely interventions. ‘As schools reopen across the country, we urge school authorities, parents, and students to strictly observe flu prevention measures,’ the statement said.

‘The GHS is collaborating with the Ghana Education Service to safeguard the health of students and staff.’ It assured the public that all necessary measures were being implemented to contain the outbreak and called for continued cooperation from all stakeholders to protect individuals, families, and communities.

The groups most vulnerable to infection include children and adolescents, particularly those in school, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. The GHS urged the public to seek medical attention early when flu-like symptoms appear and to stay home when unwell to prevent infecting others.

Other key preventive measures include regular handwashing with soap and water, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces, avoiding crowded places, and wearing face masks in public.