According to reports, four individuals have lost their lives to meningitis in the Upper West Region.
In January and February this year, the victims were among 18 cases of meningococcal disease in the region. According to Upper West Regional Deputy Director, of Public Health, Dr Collins Boateng Danquah, one death each was recorded in the Nandom, Wa West, Jirapa, and Nadowli-Kaleo Districts. In an interview at Wa on Friday, Dr Danquah said the cases were confirmed at the Wa, Nandom, Jirapa Municipalities, and the Wa West and Nadwoli-Kaleo Districts.
He explained that meningitis is the inflammation of the meningeal layer of the brain, caused either by a virus or a bacterium, and said the region mostly recorded bacterial meningitis with prevalence in streptococcus pneumonia.
Seventeen of the eighteen confirmed cases have been identified as streptococcus meningitis, which is not very deadly but can spread quickly and another one has been classified as Neisseria meningitides," Dr Danquah said. Dr. Danquah stated that the Regional Health Directorate increased its awareness of this disease and encouraged people to report it as soon as possible at health centers while adopting preventive measures.
He reported that in October last year, a Polymerase Chain Reaction PCR machine was installed at the Upper West Regional Hospital to help authorities identify suspected cases of Meningitis. Dr. Danquah informed him that the hospital had sufficient medication to treat patients and prophylaxis of relatives who were exposed to them.
We educate the public to sleep in well-ventilated rooms and avoid overcrowding as this disease is very hot inside, he said. They should wear nose masks in dusty environments to avoid infection and report early to a health facility when they feel unwell for early diagnosis. 'Outdoor activities should be reduced by children.'
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