Thirty three people have been killed by Cerebrospinal Meningitis in the Upper West region of Ghana out of the total 215 recorded cases.
Mrs Justina Zoyah-Diedong, the Disease Control Officer of the Upper West region told graphic that the deceased were above all above then years (10) of age.
“The region lay in the meningitis belt which stretched across Nadowli, Jirapa, Lawra, Nandom into Burkina Faso, adding that, “because of the climatic condition in the area which is dry, very hot and dusty at this time of the year meningitis epidemics are an annual occurrence” she said.
She further said “health authorities in the region were worried because of the absence of reagents to trace the causative bacteria and allow for a remedy, such as a vaccine, to be prescribed for treatment.
So far, there have 215 recorded cases in the region, the Jirapa Municipality has recorded 36 cases and nine deaths; Nadowli District, 65 cases with nine deaths; Nandom District, 69 cases with nine deaths; Wa Municipality, 21 cases and four deaths; Wa West Municipality with 15 cases and one death and Lawra Municipality, six cases with one death.
Mrs Zoyah-Diedong said all the districts in the region had recorded cases of the disease which was airborne and it normally began from October, with March and April as the peak periods.
“Blood samples sent to the Public Health Reference Laboratory for testing indicated that they were dealing with Streptococcus Pneumonia which had no vaccines for adults,”.
According to Mrs Zoyah-Diedong, there were fears that there could be more cases recorded since the dry condition causing the spread of the disease would still prevail until the rains set in next month.
The Upper West Region Disease Control Officer advised the people to adhere to the necessary protocols, including avoiding over crowding, covering one’s mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, washing hands frequently and reporting early at a health facility for diagnosis and treatment.
She said the disease would subside when the rains hopefully set in by the end of the month.
By: NK AB