Cerebrospinal Meningitis infects 258, kills 40 in Upper West Region
At least 40 persons have died from Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in the Upper West Region.
The number of CSM infections in the region has also jumped to 258 in the region.
This comes at a time when the country is battling the outbreak of another deadly virus, coronavirus (COVID-19).
Health authorities in the Upper West Region say although the outbreak of meningitis in the region is an annual occurrence, this year’s has become difficult to deal with.
The Regional Director of Health, Dr. Osei Kuffour Afreh, told JoyNews it has become difficult dealing with the outbreak of the meningitis since it is a new strain of the disease.
“It’s unfortunate that this particular year, we’ve found something quite unusual. Previously, we vaccinated inhabitants of the Upper West region with meningitis vaccine, but unfortunately this year, our investigation and analysis have shown that we’re dealing with a strange sub-type of strain which we haven’t had in the region before.
“So all the vaccination that have been done earlier to protect people is working against this particular strain. We’re dealing with a serotype X which have no vaccines in the world, or WHO has not certified any vaccine for that. So it makes the fight a little difficult,” Dr. Afreh said.
On his part, the Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, expressed worry over the development.
He blamed the alarming death rate on the delay in reporting to the health facilities for medical help.
“The case fatality rate of meningitis in the region is 15.5% which is unacceptable.
“About 80% of the death is as a result of delay in reporting to the health facilities,” he said at a news conference, Wednesday.
He, however, assured that efforts are underway to get a team of experts to assist the region fight the disease.
As of March 19, 2020, the region had recorded 18 deaths from the Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM).
The Ghana Health Service in the Central region also ordered the decongestion of the Nyankumasi Ahenkro Senior High School (SHS) over fears of an outbreak of meningitis.
This was after two students of the school died of the disease.
Health Service orders decongestion at Nyankumasi Ahenkro SHS after 2 die over meningitis